afoot

UK: /əˈfʊt/ US: /əˈfʊt/ ,(ə fŏŏt′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

a•foot /əˈfʊt/   adj. 

1. being made ready;
   in progress: [after a noun]
   There is a plan afoot.
   [be + ~]
   The plans are afoot.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

a•foot  (ə fŏŏt′), adv., adj. 

1. on foot;
   walking:
   I came afoot.
2. astir;
   in progress:
   There is mischief afoot.

• Middle English a fote, on fote. See a-¹, foot 1175–1225

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

afoot / əˈfʊt/ adjective , adverb (postpositive)

1. in circulation or operation; astir: mischief was afoot
2. on or by foot