underfoot

[ uhn-der-foot ]

adverb

1. under the foot or feet; on the ground; underneath or below:

   The climb was difficult because there were so many rocks underfoot.

2. so as to form an obstruction, as in walking; in the way:

   the ends of her sash falling constantly underfoot.

adjective

1. lying under the foot or feet; in a position to be trodden upon.

underfoot

/ ˌʌndəˈfʊt /

adverb

1. underneath the feet; on the ground
2. in a position of subjugation or subservience
3. in the way

Word History and Origins

Origin of underfoot¹

1150–1200; Middle English underfot (adv.). See under-, foot

Example Sentences

Remnants of desiccated hay crunched underfoot, and the sun-baked soil was fragmented with deep cracks.

From Los Angeles Times

"As soon as people arrived on the scene, their use of the cave was very intensive, with clear evidence of burning and trampling of the shelter floor underfoot."

From Science Daily

What they build instead — by de-paving key areas to open up planting beds and turning the excavated chunks into new walls or mosaic-like hardscapes underfoot — seems to work visually in Philadelphia, too.

From Seattle Times

“You’re underfoot, little dude,” says Dad as he makes his way from the fridge to the front of the store.

From Literature

Wild flowers and pinecones, not shrapnel, were underfoot as I walked along a stretch of the border with Israeli military officers.

From BBC