Phrase guide

on the hoof

prep_phrase · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

Of livestock, not yet butchered.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

prep_phrase

Meaning 2

Alive; embodied in a living animal (including a human); in working order.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

prep_phrase

Meaning 3

Of a human activity, while standing, walking, or running; on foot.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

prep_phrase

Meaning 4

Without proper thought or preparation; done as one goes.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, idiomatic, informal

Examples

  • Near-synonym: extempore

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: on the fly, extempore

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

The literal sense concerning livestock has no more to it as a sum of parts than the corresponding sense of on foot does. A reference to humans being on the hoof occurs in a text from England in 1691.

Across languages

Translations

14 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: op voet — of cattle: not yet butchered
  • Polish: jeszcze nie ubity — of cattle: not yet butchered
  • Dutch: rechtstaande — whilst standing
  • Finnish: seisten — whilst standing
  • Finnish: seisaaltaan — whilst standing
  • French: sur le pouce — whilst standing
  • French: manger sur le pouce — whilst standing
  • Polish: na stojąco — whilst standing
  • Polish: na stojaka — whilst standing
  • Dutch: spontaan — informal: without proper thought or preparation
  • Finnish: lonkalta — informal: without proper thought or preparation
  • Finnish: näppituntumalla — informal: without proper thought or preparation
  • Finnish: hatusta — informal: without proper thought or preparation
  • Polish: z marszu — informal: without proper thought or preparation