English Lessons Brighton

Should you say “on foot” or “by foot”?

by Phil Williams | Apr 23, 2014 | Definitions , Grammar , Prepositions | 21 comments

walking on foot or by foot

We can use say both – with these justifications:

Why you should say  on foot

We usually use  on  for movements or actions that involve using body parts. You can rest on your elbows, you can pray on your knees, and you can lie on your back. Walking is no different – the action takes place  on foot .

Why you could say  by foot

We use  by to describe a tool used for movements or actions. You can travel by plane, by boat or by car, for instance. You can send letters by post, and you can write by hand. It stands to reason, then, that you can travel  by foot .

The problem

When you need to decide on proper preposition use, there are sometimes two possibilities which apparently have the same meaning, though one may be more common and seen as correct. This is particularly true when there is some crossover between the use of the preposition to link nouns. In this case,  on  can be used to mean the object, surface or means we travel atop, while  by  can mean the method transport we use. Travelling  on  something and using something to travel ( by ) can therefore produce the same meaning, with a different grammatical construction.

So which is more correct?

You move with your feet in contact with the ground, supported by your feet, making  on foot a more literal description of the action. Yet your feet are also a tool of sorts, so if we want to describe what you use to travel,  by foot makes perfect sense. It is not reasonable, then, to say one is more correct than the other. Yet you may be told that  by foot  is incorrect. Why? For the same reason that many rules exist in English:

Because  on foot  is more commonly used than  by foot .

The English language has adapted over many centuries, and different rules come and go when it comes to grammar. It is important to recognise when a rule emerges as a matter of style, or a matter of meaning, however. Many grammar rules exist to help clarify what is said. In this case, there is no firm rule, because one expression is not more clear than the other.

You may find English people argue about this, and many other rules and sayings, because one style sounds strange to the person who uses the other. These arguments serve no grammatical purpose, and work only to limit the language. When it comes to matters of style, choose the option that you prefer. You will not be misunderstood.

21 Comments

Jamie

Hi, I’m an English teacher and my students are confused about the grammar, based on this writing. I understand perfectly what you meant here but when we ask the question, how long does it take to get there on foot, ‘by foot’ instead of ‘on foot’ is also gramatically correct? I understand that by foot, on foot, by feet, on feet they yet all make sense and people wud easily understand what they want to say but there are certain gramatical rules, aren’t there? If you say to choose the option that you prefer when it comes to matters of style, I should teach any forms out of on foot, by foot, on feet and by feet are all up to their choices and nothing’s wrong with each, while the cambridge dictionary says ‘on foot’ is correct in grammar when we specifically talk about the means of transportation. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/ …/grammatica…/by

Phil Williams

Hi Jamie, I can understand why you would prefer to simplify teaching such expressions for students and can certainly let them know that ‘on foot’ is the more common, and more commonly accepted, form, but unless you have a clear reason why ‘by foot’ should NOT be used (other than the fact it is not contained in a dictionary), then I wouldn’t recognise it as a grammar rule. As you say yourself it make senses and would be easily understood, what, then, is the rule? That we should only teach what is contained in a dictionary?

To be a rule of grammar, there would have to be a clear difference in meaning and room for misunderstanding: for example, ‘by car’ relates to usage, ‘on a car’ refers to a position on the vehicle. These are two very distinct meanings. If you don’t have that distinction between ‘on foot’ and ‘by foot’, and both are commonly understood, we do not have a rule of grammar, we have a matter of style, and indeed a choice. It’s certainly not something you have to teach, and students can get by on the most accepted definition alone, but I write articles like this because students come to me asking why they’ve been told a commonly used expression is incorrect, when it’s not incorrect, and will not cause confusion, it’s just less common.

Orla

Hi, thanks for your article. What do you think about the question below? I answered 3 but it’s incorrect. I’m wondering if answer1 is a better choice. Do people say “I go to work by bus?” Or “I go to work by taking a bus”? Thank you.

Linda: ______ do you go to work? Jimmy: ______ *

1.How ; I go to work by taking a bus. 2.In what way ; I go to work in the MRT. 3.How ; I go there by foot. 4.How long ; I ride a train to there.

Hi Orla, I don’t see anything wrong with 3, “I go there by foot” is acceptable. “I got there by bus” is also acceptable, yes – but “I go there by taking a bus” would sound a bit unnatural in casual speech. It’s not grammatically wrong but specifying ‘taking a bus’ sounds a rather elaborate – as we could more simply say ‘I go by bus’ or ‘I take the bus’.

mapofbeautyblog

What about by feet or by foot? While we are walking we use both of feet.

Hi Vlad, We use the singular as describing the method, rather than a literal description. This would be same for describing any method, similar to adjective forms of nouns, where we use singular as a descriptor (unless specifically trying to highlight different types of a noun). For example, “All the partygoers arrived by car.” (method – not telling us how many cars), or “All oven-baked bread tastes great.” (where “oven” describes the method regardless of how many ovens are used).

Victor Sevalnev

Hi, Phil, very useful! T now I will stick more to “on foot”! Another Q; A boy carried a knife carefully not to cut his finger..or to not… or in order not to… which is correct? thanks

Hi Victor, ‘to not’ or ‘in order not to’ would be best, for your version it would be more appropriate to use an adjective ograse: ‘a boy carried a knife, careful not to…’

Arnold

‘BY’ stands for ‘by means of…’ it’s perfectly correct to use it when the means are are not part of your body. Having said that you say ‘…by hand’. Hand being a tool. Although ‘…on foot’ is the more appropriate expression because the foot is the very essence of standing for the human body.

Dude NOT SO Perfect !!!

Hi Phil, I have a doubt on whether to use “on foot” or “by foot” in the following sentence:

Jawaharlal Nehru went from village to village _ foot On/By

Please help me out with this one. Thank you for your time and attention

Best Regards Sreehari

Hi Sreehari, As per the article, the more common/accepted option would be ‘on foot’, but you’d likely find many people would also say ‘by foot’ without any difference. Best,

Hi Phil, Thanking you once again for the clarification.

You’re welcome!

Chris B

I tell my students to simply use the verb to walk. It’s what native speakers use 95%+ of the time.

How did you get here? I walked.

That’s one way around it!

Irfan Khan

hello sir wiliams , I have a question about cycling what should we use by cycle or on cycle because here we use both foot and a mean for transportaion.

Hi Irfan – for cycling, we would refer to the bike/bicyle, as a mode of transport; “by bike/bicycle” or “on a bike/bicycle” – or for the verb, “by cycling”.

sweta

Are you going ____ foot ? (by/on)

Nowhere man

Thank you Phil Very good explanation. It will help me to remember the correct option It is always easier to learn some rules when you know the reason why it is like that

You’re welcome! And yes, that’s generally been my philosophy; and indeed, if we don’t know the reason for rules, we may always question their purpose/validity…

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travel by foot meaning

Dream Bigger With Us.

Let's get social, 6 reasons why you should travel the world by foot.

travel by foot meaning

In the beginning, people only traveled by foot, but since technology facilitated going from one place to another by automobile, it’s less common to walk longer distances.

However, traveling by foot has its appeal and should be done more often since it can benefit your health and teach you a few things about our environment. So, let’s see why you should consider this type of traveling.

travel by foot meaning

You discover new things

Traveling by car or bus can be easier and faster, but you miss out on a lot of interesting things since you can’t just stop whenever you see a rare animal or beautiful scenery. But walking at any pace allows you to observe plants, animals, birds, and any other unusual things on the road. It’s a more authentic way to travel as it lets you get a more personal insight into your surroundings.

For example, traveling on foot from village to village will reveal some things that you can’t find on the map or the internet because they’re hidden from the technological world. You may discover small lakes and untouched parts that are extremely beautiful and worth seeing. You could also get in touch with locals and learn more about the village, which will make you more culturally rich.

You save money

Traveling on foot only requires you to wear proper shoes and clothes to be able to walk and not freeze. The equipment is relatively limited (a backpack, food, and some money), and the accommodation in such places is often very affordable. However, depending on the trail you’re going to take, you might need more supplies to survive and have a smooth adventure.

Still, not all trails are easy and inexpensive. For example, if you’re interested in mountain hiking, you may need to invest in pricey equipment to ensure safety. You need to be dressed in layers, wear a specific type of footwear and carry accessories that are facilitating your trip (trekking poles, a signaling mirror, and a first-aid kit). However, most of the time, you don’t need to invest too much in practicing walking as a sport or a hobby. Therefore, you’ll save money to spend on more trips for accommodation, food, or souvenirs.

travel by foot meaning

You get healthier

Going out in nature, walking, and feeling the fresh air can significantly impact your body. Not only you’re training your muscles and building up resistance, but also improving your overall health by:

  • Losing body fat;
  • Preventing various conditions like heart disease;
  • Increasing energy levels;
  • Strengthening your immune system;

However, to maintain your health, you need to be wary of your surroundings. Many traveling routes are around roads where cars usually speed up. Although road accidents have decreased in the past decade, a worrying number of people are getting hit by drunk or negligent drivers. But if you’re walking somewhere in the British trails and you’re the victim of a road accident, you can claim compensation in the UK  to cover for any grave injuries.

You find yourself

Long-distance walking is one of the most remarkable cures for making you feel better. Spending some time with yourself while being surrounded by only nature can help you:

  • Be happier and less stressed. Travelling can make you more relaxed since you’re doing something you love;
  • Reinvent yourself. Walking in unknown places can be challenging, which requires you to think outside of the box and learn new things about yourself;
  • Become more mentally resilient. Traveling forces you to adapt quickly to any type of environment you find yourself discovering, which makes you emotionally strong;
  • Be more creative. Travelling promotes cognitive flexibility , which, in the long term, can help you thrive at work and in your personal life;

Walking on foot also makes you more thoughtful as you have plenty of time to analyze your life, choices, and opportunities. If you like doing introspection from time to time through journalling, for example, walking has the same benefits.

travel by foot meaning

You’ll be more self-aware

Self-awareness allows you to live life in the moment and be present, which is a trait that people lack more since they’re taken over technology. Being self-aware makes you:

  • Be intentional about something that needs to be changed in your life;
  • Think differently in your day-to-day life;
  • Build skills faster and more profoundly;
  • Change the context of your life if it doesn’t suit your needs;

Nature is the only place where you can become self-aware by yourself. Traveling by foot allows you to connect with your roots and truly learn who you are. In time, you’ll learn to embrace who you really are and get into a free mindset. Walking will be your escape from the problems you face every day, and you’ll know how to deal with them more manageably than before.

You’ll learn more about nature

Although we have nature surrounding us, we know so little of it since we avoid going out there by ourselves. But walking on foot will give you enough time to analyze the trees, flowers, and different plants, and you’ll learn about their importance and be able to pick up nature’s features on the go. Therefore, as you understand why the environment is so important to sustain life, you can protect wildlife more.

travel by foot meaning

Learning more will make you more aware of the action you do every day regarding waste, so you can be one of the people who do little things to protect the trees and the plants around them. You’ll be more careful where you dispose of your waste next time and know how to report a plant to save its life. You might also love being surrounded by plants, so you’ll get as many plants as possible to decorate your house.

Wrapping up

Walking on foot is one of the most relaxing activities you can think of to unwind. But besides that, it has many benefits, like increasing resistance and boosting your mental health. Walking also allows you to explore nature and learn more about it, so it’s an inexpensive and easy thing to do in your free time.

travel by foot meaning

For the most part, planning your trip will depend on the area you want to explore, and you should take that into account. On this site https://www.discoverybit.com/ you can find the best destinations for this.

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6 reasons why you sh….

travel by foot meaning

Women On The Road

Travel On Foot: The Ultimate Slow Travel

Travel on foot – it’s called different things in different countries: walking, trekking, tramping, rambling, hiking, bushwalking, bushbashing…

It’s the ultimate  slow travel , taking your time to get from one place to the next, as close to the ground and to people as you possibly can.

Travel on foot more than just sport: walking is about  proximity, intensity and experience . Rather than seeing as much as possible, it’s about going as deeply as possible. I’ve done short hikes and treks but someday I’ll walk all the way to a destination. I happen to live right on the Camino de Santiago, the bit that starts in Geneva and ends in… Santiago.

travel on foot - Seyssel, Ain, France

HOW TO GO FOR A WALK

Yes, of course, one foot in front of the other. That’s how I used to walk until I learned to WALK. To get the most of the experience takes a bit more than feet:

  • Look at the details around you. Can you remember what you just walked by? What tree that was? Whether the ground was pebbly or rocky? What the streets are called?
  • Use your senses as you walk. Can you smell the flowers, the asphalt, the fumes? Not every walk is going to be lovely. Can you hear birds in the trees or branches swaying in the wind?
  • What is the weather like? Are you hot, cold, blowing in the wind? 
  • If you’re not in your own country, are there signs? What do they say? Are the shops different from those you know? How are people dressed?
  • Can you tell anything about their culture from the way they walk with someone? Or their hand gestures? The volume of their voice or the amount of personal space they leave when they’re talking to someone? Are the church bells in the background or a muezzin? So people smile and greet one another or do they ignore them and walk by?
  • Can you stop in a café and listen to conversations? Do you understand them? What are they about? Are most people in couples, in groups, alone? Are they writing, or reading, or simply gazing at other people?
  • What about your body? Are you feeling unusual muscles begin to get grumpy? Are you out of breath or breathing more deeply than usual?
  • Are you on a short walk or long hike, and how could you shorten or lengthen it if you wanted to?

I could go on… the point is that travel on foot is anything but just walking. Walking is involved but almost peripherally. To me, it’s about discovering a place the way it lives.

ARE THERE ANY ADVANTAGES TO THIS… WALKING THING?

Yes, of course, or why bother?

  • walking is ideal if you have little time – think city walking tour or hike over a mountain but it can be as short or as long as you wish
  • it’s sustainable and environmentally friendly – it’s hard to pollute when you’re walking (especially if you pick up after yourself)
  • it keeps you fit, de-stressed and serene
  • it allows you to soak up the culture – you can  experience  a place with all your senses, not just see it
  • it puts you in touch with nature
  • it allows you to meet local people along the way and see what they see
  • it brings you close to the tastes, smells and sounds of your destination (see above)
  • it lets you stop wherever you want and progress at your own pace
  • it’s free!

IF YOU’RE GOING BEYOND THE CITY

Here are a few  basic rules  to help you stay safe when you travel on foot, especially if there are no crowds around:

  • always wear something bright enough to be seen
  • let someone know where you’re going, and when you expect to arrive
  • if you’re heading somewhere isolated, try to team up with other hikers (why not  look for a travel companion ?)
  • if you’re going beyond a single city, check online for updates (I like to check  travel forums ) – you don’t want to hike to another city in the middle of a flood
  • depending on how far you’re going, carry a good map/GPS/personal locator beacon and any phone apps liable to help you find your way
  • bring along plenty of water and food – and possibly a walking stick to help you walk and to ward off snakes and wild dogs (just in case) or slippery autumn leaves.

While going on foot from one place to the next has plenty going for it, there are  some downsides…  especially if you’re on a longer walk or a hike.

  • you’ll see less than someone whizzing by on motorized transport – you can only walk so fast and so far, after all
  • this kind of travel requires more time so you’ll have to be circumspect about your itinerary if you don’t have much travel time
  • you may spend a lot of time dirty, sweaty and tired, and there may be no shower in sight
  • it can be physically demanding so your health and fitness are factors
  • your hiking equipment will wear out faster
  • in some places distances can be huge and walking nearly impossible as a result
  • it can be dangerous, in countries with conflict, disaster, extreme poverty or a high crime rate.

Despite these constraints, travel on foot remains a  viable alternative . I’d love to do more of it – the best I’ve managed so far is to walk over a mountain from one town in Central America to another, and a trek across a mountain in northern Uganda. Both are still memorable, years later.

travel on foot Mont Blanc

— Originally published on 31 July 2011

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travel by foot meaning

  • English (US)

What is the difference between on foot and by foot ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.

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Both work and mean to travel by walking.

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travel by foot meaning

They mean the same thing. The difference is that the phrase "on foot" was used in the English language before the phrase "by foot" was used in the English language. When other forms of transportation were invented like chariot, bus, car, train, airplane, the word "by" was used. Examples: by car by train by airplane The phrase "by foot" is preferred to be used over the phrase "on foot" when another modern means of transport is mentioned: Example: " The other vacationers traveled by airplane but I traveled by foot". Did you go by train or by foot? Did you go on foot? But really, "on foot" and "by foot" are interchangeable.

travel by foot meaning

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Travel By Foot

Prepositional phrase to go by foot - woman walking with pink Nike shoes.

When we walk somewhere, we use the prepositional phrase, going “by foot”

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Synonyms and antonyms of travel on foot in English

Travel on foot.

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travel by foot meaning

On the Virtues of Traveling by Foot

Walking in the natural world can be the catalyst for personal transformation.

The German filmmaker Werner Herzog once declared “tourism is sin, and travel on foot virtue.” He should know, having once walked all the way from Munich to Paris. His larger point here refers to the authenticity and primacy of physically experiencing and interacting with a place, in contrast to more passive and modern modes of travel. The faster we travel and the more separated we are from our surroundings, the less we can really know of them. We know little of a place traveling through it by car; on a bicycle, our experience broadens; and traveling on foot—one footstep at a time—we come to know a place both physically and intellectually. Traveling on foot can even be a sacred and holy act, as pilgrims from most religious faiths can attest. The means of traveling on foot—or in some cases, on one’s knees—over a long and arduous route are themselves an act of faith that is equally important as reaching the end, whatever that holy site or destination may be.

An idea central to the practice of T’ai Chi is rootedness , the strength and grounding of position that occurs when the body contacts the earth through the feet, establishing a kind of harmonious flow of energy, which is dynamically balanced by fluid movement of the body. Walking or hiking can likewise engage our bodies in a similar kind of kinesthetic experience and harmony with the place through which we are passing. The character of a place may come to us to a certain degree through our senses, but as adventurer and natural navigator Tristan Gooley has written, “We are more likely to understand where we have traveled if we walk it ourselves than if we are carried—even if we are deprived of all of our external senses.”

There is something about immersing oneself physically in a place, I have found, especially over time and across seasons. It yields fascinating insights into a place’s true nature, its unique character. I’ve just as often found, however, that walking in natural or wild places stimulates a kind of depth of thought and contemplation, that—regardless of whether or not it relates directly to the landscape—results in problems being solved, dark moods lifted, ideas elaborated on, thoughts developed. By moving on foot through a place, we undoubtedly come to know that place more intimately. But under the right conditions, free from the constant distractions of home, work, and social interaction, we may also come to know ourselves and our thoughts better.

The English word “discourse” is often used to describe the process of reasoning or logical development, however its Latin root, discurrere, literally means “to run about.” The concept of physical movement or progress giving rise to thought, contemplation, or intellectual development is also reflected elsewhere in common speech, for example, in the use of phrases like “reason through,” “think it over,” or “arrive at a solution.”

As someone who has spent considerable time running, hiking, and walking in the outdoors, I’ve often noticed that I solve more problems and find more inspirations moving about in the outdoors than sitting still at my desk, staring at a computer screen.

Before injuring my Achilles tendon last summer, on many mornings I would enjoy an early run up and down the steep, wooded hills of the Blue Ridge Parkway near my home. Whatever anxieties or concerns I had about the day ahead of me had usually vanished by the end of my six- or seven-mile run. If there was a specific problem or obstacle I was beset by, I would more often than not arrive at an answer or a strategy, if not a complete solution, by the end of the run. On these mornings, my mind was easily soothed by the rustic setting of this daily ritual: the relative absence of automobile traffic and human noise, the sounds of deer rustling through leaves, birdsong emanating from the heights, and hollows of these mostly sylvan surroundings. Even as the route became familiar to me, the daily differences in the subtleties and nuances of light and sound, the changes in temperature, vegetation and wildlife activity were never lost to my attention. On the contrary, they were the energizing catalyst each day for novel thought and inspiration.

travel by foot meaning

In an effort to rehabilitate my injured foot over the summer, and now lacking a regular job commitment, I decided to spend a day each week doing a long hike in the area to compensate both for the lack of physical activity and the lack of time spent in the spectacular natural world of the Blue Ridge, lost to taking a break from running. As June turned to July, I spent many hours wandering nearby trails, particularly sections of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, a thousand-mile trail that stretches through the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina before it doglegs across the state to the Outer Banks and the Atlantic Ocean. Later in the summer, I explored other destinations a little further afield in Virginia, like Rock Castle Gorge or Grayson Highlands and Mount Rogers, Virginia’s highest peak.

Even during the summer months, however, I saw relatively few other hikers on the more remote sections of these trails and was often left to myself to wander for hours, with nothing but my own thoughts and the cadence of my feet on the trail. Sometimes my thoughts would be focused outward, in tune with the majestic beauty of blue-green peaks stretching away along the horizon of the high country; or the wild flowers lining the path at my feet as it stretched across an alpine meadow. Other times my thoughts drew inwards, as I contemplated a writing project in progress or waxed philosophical about the state of the world. Usually though, over the four or five hours it would take me to do a medium-distance hike, my mind and emotions shifted over a range of thoughts and sensations. At the end of each hike, I found myself physically tired, though never too exhausted. More importantly though, something in me, some deeply human need that transcends the spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical domains, was satisfied by this time spent alone with my thoughts, ranging across mountainous landscapes, a day at a time.

As much as these weekly rambles changed me in whatever small degree, I have often wondered what it would be like to spend a whole season or the better part of a year traveling by foot. To through-hike the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, or more ambitiously, the Pacific Crest Trail or the Continental Divide Trail, would surely be an unforgettable and life-changing experience, albeit one that many, myself currently included, are not likely to find the time and resources to accomplish. Fortunately, others who have walked or hiked long distances overland have documented their experiences in what some have called “the literature of the leg.” Though this genre is nothing new, I’ve found myself recently living vicariously through the wanderings of several contemporary author-travelers who have undertaken major journeys on foot.

One such writer is blogger and long-distance hiker Carrot Quinn, who has hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in its entirety twice, as well as the Continental Divide Trail and the Hayduke Trail. Quinn’s book, Thru-Hiking Will Break Your Heart, compiles her blog entries from her 156-day traversal of the trail in 2013. The trail begins in the desert at the US-Mexico border and ends at the Canadian border, following the mountainous spine of the high desert, the Sierra Nevada, and the Cascades from south to north. Throughout the book, the reader experiences firsthand the trials and travails of a novice long-distance hiker as she crosses the country that is molding and challenging her body through its extremes of weather and terrain while also flooding her senses with light, wind, and heartbreaking natural beauty. Quinn’s emotional state sometimes mirrors the terrain of the 2668-mile trail: snow covered granite peaks of rapture alternate with deserts of despair and flood-choked valleys of uncertainty, followed by the routine “zero” days in a trailside town, recovering from the exhaustion of trail life. By the end of the journey, though, one is left with a shared sense of loss, of not wanting the trail to end. The reader catches more than a glimpse of just how much trail life—the camaraderie of fellow hikers, and the sheer, gorgeous sublimity of hiking through some of America’s most beautiful country—has changed the author.

Similarly, Nick Hunt’s Walking the Woods and the Water details a journey he made, beginning in December 2011 to retrace the footsteps of Patrick Leigh Fermor, a fellow Englishman, who walked from the Hook of Holland to Turkey’s Golden Horn in 1933. While some of this journey crosses urban and suburban lands, especially in its earlier segments, many of the experiences of people and places Hunt documents could only occur on foot—for example, sleeping in the ruins of an ancient castle along the Rhine River in Germany, or bedding down for the night in a shed while a snowstorm rages outside. As Hunt’s book chronicles his own experiences and the personal changes he undergoes in the seven-month journey, he is also comparing his present-day experience of the lands and people he encounters with Fermor’s account of seventy-eight years earlier and registering the changes, for better or worse, as he notices them. As with Carrot Quinn’s book, one can’t help but feel transformed at the end of this immense yet humble journey across not just the enormity of a continent, but through three seasons and dozens of separate cultures and regions and climates.

Jennifer Stitt, in her recent essay on walking, focuses on the moral clarity that resulted from Thoreau’s solitary walks in the wild and the American civil rights movement as well as past and current freedom movements his thought influenced. A solitary and thoughtful walk in nature here culminates with the mass marches and mobilizations that have brought about deep change and lasting social justice in our time. As I have found also, a solitary walk, especially in the wild, can bring inner peace, wonderful moments of intellectual and visionary clarity, and personal transformation as we physically, spiritually, and intellectually connect with the natural world, which supports us and from which we have evolved. From this position, ecological justice is also possible.

Matt Miles  is a writer, poet, permaculturist, maker, and rock climber. His work has previously appeared in  Dark Mountain . He lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina where he and Tasha Greer run the reLuxe Ranch, a whole systems farmstead.

Photos courtesy of  Unsplash

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Definition of foot

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Definition of foot  (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

transitive verb

  • rock bottom
  • spring (for)

Examples of foot in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'foot.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Noun and Verb

Middle English fot , from Old English fōt ; akin to Old High German fuot foot, Latin ped-, pes , Greek pod-, pous

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing foot

  • bird's - foot trefoil
  • foot - pound
  • cloven foot
  • claw - foot
  • have one foot in the grave
  • get / start off on the wrong foot
  • hand, foot and mouth disease
  • foot traffic
  • from head to foot / toe
  • get one's foot in the door
  • foot soldier
  • get / start off on the right foot
  • not touch (someone or something) with a ten - foot pole
  • set foot in
  • put one's best foot forward
  • put one's foot in it
  • the boot is on the other foot
  • single - foot
  • wrong - foot
  • foot patrol
  • calf's - foot jelly
  • bird's - foot violet
  • acre - foot
  • trench foot
  • crow's foot
  • foot the bill
  • foot - pound - second
  • athlete's foot
  • foot - dragging
  • put a foot wrong
  • fleet of foot
  • fescue foot
  • wait on (someone) hand and foot
  • foot - and - mouth disease
  • the shoe is on the other foot
  • put one foot in front of the other
  • hand and foot
  • wouldn't touch (something) with a 10 - foot pole
  • pedestrian / foot traffic
  • neat's - foot oil
  • foot - candle
  • light - foot
  • put one's foot down
  • foot in the door
  • put one's foot in one's mouth
  • shoot oneself in the foot
  • set foot on

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Dictionary Entries Near foot

Cite this entry.

“Foot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foot. Accessed 14 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of foot.

Kids Definition of foot  (Entry 2 of 2)

Medical Definition

Medical definition of foot, more from merriam-webster on foot.

Nglish: Translation of foot for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of foot for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about foot

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  • travel on foot

verb as in pound the pavement

Weak matches

  • hit the road
  • hit the trail
  • walk the tracks

verb as in traipse

Strongest matches

Strong matches

  • knock about
  • take a walk

verb as in walk

  • perambulate
  • wend one's way

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Related words.

Words related to travel on foot are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word travel on foot . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.

verb as in travel far on foot

verb as in move along on foot

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On this page you'll find 102 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to travel on foot, such as: count ties, hit the road, hit the trail, and walk the tracks.

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.

IMAGES

  1. Travel By Foot

    travel by foot meaning

  2. Should you say "on foot" or "by foot"?

    travel by foot meaning

  3. Travelling on Foot

    travel by foot meaning

  4. Traveling on Foot

    travel by foot meaning

  5. Cheryl Strayed Quote: “Travel by foot. There is so much you can’t

    travel by foot meaning

  6. Top Ten Travel Tips For Your Feet

    travel by foot meaning

VIDEO

  1. sir jokhon rakhos🤣

  2. Foot Meaning In Bengali /Foot mane ki

  3. पुरुष के पैर में छिपकली का गिरना ।। lizard falling in the foot meaning in hindi #chipkali

  4. Foot Meaning in Hindi || Foot Ka Kya Matlab Hota Hai

  5. Parenting Challenges while traveling 🤷‍♀️

  6. Understanding the Phrase "Mountain's Foot"

COMMENTS

  1. "By foot" vs. "on foot"

    This Ngram does however support GreenRay's contention that 'by foot' (meaning 'to travel by..') is increasing in very recent times, possibly influenced by usages involving vehicles. - John Mack. Nov 28, 2015 at 22:41 @Mari-LouA Prudence and discretion are my new watchwords. It is an excellent question and well worth the bounty.

  2. prepositions

    18. 'On foot' is the more commonly used expression.This also stems from the fact that 'on' is usually used for actions involving body parts. 'By' is usually used to talk about a means of transport (i.e. train, car, boat, plane, etc). They both have the same meaning, albeit with different grammatical structure.

  3. Should you say "on foot" or "by foot"?

    Because on foot is more commonly used than by foot. The English language has adapted over many centuries, and different rules come and go when it comes to grammar. It is important to recognise when a rule emerges as a matter of style, or a matter of meaning, however. Many grammar rules exist to help clarify what is said.

  4. "Go by foot" vs. "go on foot"

    2. Both expressions convey the meaning, but in my experience and the experience of Google ngram "on foot" is far more common: Click here for Google ngram. "By" tends to be used more for a transport system "by car", "by plane". "On" for body parts "on foot", "on hands and knees" being the only examples I can think of.

  5. 6 Reasons Why You Should Travel The World By Foot

    Become more mentally resilient. Traveling forces you to adapt quickly to any type of environment you find yourself discovering, which makes you emotionally strong; Be more creative. Travelling promotes cognitive flexibility, which, in the long term, can help you thrive at work and in your personal life;

  6. Which is correct: "on foot" or "by foot"?

    Answer. 'On foot' is the more commonly used expression.This also stems from the fact that 'on' is usually used for actions involving body parts. 'By' is usually used to talk about a means of transport (i.e. train, car, boat, plane, etc). They both have the same meaning, albeit with different grammatical structure.

  7. italki

    BY. When talking about general ways to travel, we always use the preposition "by.". We can travel by bike, by motorcycle, by car, by van, by lorry, by truck, by train, by plane, by bus, by ship, by tram, or by boat. We can also use by to refer to the transportation environment (by sea, by land, by air) or the surface area (by rail, by road ...

  8. Travel On Foot: The Ultimate Slow Travel

    Travel on foot - it's called different things in different countries: walking, trekking, tramping, rambling, hiking, bushwalking, bushbashing…. It's the ultimate slow travel, taking your time to get from one place to the next, as close to the ground and to people as you possibly can. Travel on foot more than just sport: walking is about ...

  9. What is the difference between "on foot" and "by foot ...

    Synonym for on foot Both work and mean to travel by walking.|They mean the same thing. The difference is that the phrase "on foot" was used in the English language before the phrase "by foot" was used in the English language. When other forms of transportation were invented like chariot, bus, car, train, airplane, the word "by" was used. Examples: by car by train by airplane The phrase "by ...

  10. "by walk" or "by foot" when travelling by walking [duplicate]

    By is a flexible preposition. "By train, plane, and automobile" is almost a stock phrase. A team of rescuers once went By Dogsled for Byrd" to rescue the Admiral from the South Pole.I have no problems with going somewhere on foot or by foot, or by rowboat or kayak or helicopter or wheelbarrow or even by stealth.

  11. On foot

    Definition of on foot in the Idioms Dictionary. on foot phrase. What does on foot expression mean? Definitions by the largest Idiom Dictionary. ... My car won't work so I have to travel on foot. We go everywhere around the campus on foot. See also: foot, on.

  12. Peregrinate Definition & Meaning

    The meaning of PEREGRINATE is to travel especially on foot : walk. Did you know?

  13. ON FOOT

    ON FOOT definition: 1. walking: 2. walking: . Learn more.

  14. Travel By Foot

    Travel By Foot. When we walk somewhere, we use the prepositional phrase, going "by foot".

  15. TRAVEL ON FOOT

    TRAVEL ON FOOT - Synonyms, related words and examples | Cambridge English Thesaurus

  16. On the Virtues of Traveling by Foot

    The means of traveling on foot—or in some cases, on one's knees—over a long and arduous route are themselves an act of faith that is equally important as reaching the end, whatever that holy site or destination may be. An idea central to the practice of T'ai Chi is rootedness, the strength and grounding of position that occurs when the ...

  17. travel on foot

    1. The Guardian. The dungeons are connected by a large overworld, across which Link can travel on foot; on his horse, Epona; or by teleporting to one of many specified points. 2. Wikipedia. I can only say one simple dictum: The world reveals itself to those who travel on foot. 3.

  18. On foot Definition & Meaning

    The meaning of FOOT is the terminal part of the vertebrate leg upon which an individual stands. How to use foot in a sentence. ... 14 Mar. 2024 James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan pleaded guilty Thursday to foot travel in a restricted thermal area of Yellowstone National Park and was ordered to pay about $1,500, ...

  19. to travel on foot

    Tatoeba-2020.08. To travel on foot is to travel in the fashion of Thales, Plato, and Pythagoras. Literature. v. to travel on foot. Englishtainment. Other Hondurans, traveling on buses, had their papers seized or were arrested, forcing migrants to travel on foot. WikiMatrix.

  20. TRAVEL ON FOOT in Thesaurus: 100+ Synonyms & Antonyms for TRAVEL ON FOOT

    What's the definition of Travel on foot in thesaurus? Most related words/phrases with sentence examples define Travel on foot meaning and usage. ... Related terms for travel on foot- synonyms, antonyms and sentences with travel on foot. Lists. synonyms. antonyms. definitions. sentences. thesaurus. Parts of speech. verbs. Synonyms Similar ...

  21. Travel by foot definition and meaning

    Travel by foot definition based on common meanings and most popular ways to define words related to travel by foot.

  22. 89 Words and Phrases for Travel On Foot

    Synonyms for Travel On Foot (other words and phrases for Travel On Foot). Synonyms for Travel on foot. 89 other terms for travel on foot- words and phrases with similar meaning. Lists. synonyms. antonyms. definitions. sentences. thesaurus. words. phrases. idioms. Parts of speech. verbs. Tags. stroll. amble. run.

  23. 97 Synonyms & Antonyms for TRAVEL ON FOOT

    Find 97 different ways to say TRAVEL ON FOOT, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com.