pussyfoot

[ poos-ee-foot ]

verb (used without object)

1. to go or move in a stealthy or cautious manner.
2. to act cautiously or timidly, as if afraid to commit oneself on a point at issue.

   Synonyms: straddle, sidestep, dodge, hedge

noun

, plural puss·y·foots.

1. a person with a catlike, or soft and stealthy, tread.
2. Chiefly British. a teetotaler or prohibitionist.

pussyfoot

/ ˈpʊsɪˌfʊt /

verb

1. to move about stealthily or warily like a cat
2. to avoid committing oneself

noun

1. a person who pussyfoots

Word History and Origins

Origin of pussyfoot¹

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95; pussy ¹ + foot

Example Sentences

He took me aside and said sternly, “You can’t pussyfoot it.”

From Salon

“I tried to pussyfoot around it, I tried to break up with her,” Wade told sports commentator Shannon Sharpe in a recirculated clip from his June interview on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast.

From Los Angeles Times

“We’re not going to pussyfoot around,” he added.

From Washington Post

When it comes to defending the integrity of elections and standing on guard against more insurrections like Jan. 6, “I don’t think you can pussyfoot around right now and certainly not for as long as Trump is on the scene.”

From Seattle Times

No snarky leftist professors, Riley enthused, would be able to “pussyfoot it” past Shields’ inquisitions.

From Slate