footwork

noun

foot·​work ˈfu̇t-ˌwərk How to pronounce footwork (audio)
1
: the activity of moving from place to place
the investigation entailed a lot of footwork
2
: the management of the feet (as in boxing)
also : the work done with them
3
: active and adroit maneuvering to achieve an end
fancy political footwork

Examples of footwork in a Sentence

The investigation required a lot of footwork. He used quick footwork to dodge his opponent. The tango involves some fancy footwork. He knows that getting enough votes for the proposal is going to require some fancy political footwork.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Trending on Billboard What comes next is a clinic in classic Jackson, with the singer popping, locking and skittering across the club’s floor while executing some of his signature spins and fancy footwork while breaking hearts and deftly dispatching would-be assassins with his signature elan. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 30 Oct. 2024 Oh, and … Bo knows footwork: Prior to Sunday, Bo Nix’s footwork was the problem keeping him from consistently throwing the ball down the field accurately. Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2024 But if the gloves look too big and his footwork feels too slow, that just underlines how past-his-peak Esteban is. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Oct. 2024 The main stage set looked like the rooftop of a theater and allowed Rauw Alejandro a patch of space to scamper and showcase his graceful footwork. Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for footwork 

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of footwork was in 1859

Dictionary Entries Near footwork

Cite this Entry

“Footwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/footwork. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

footwork

noun
foot·​work -ˌwərk How to pronounce footwork (audio)
: the movement of the feet (as in boxing)

More from Merriam-Webster on footwork

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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