(あしぶ)

あしぶみ
noun
marking time; stagnation; treading
1. marking time; marching in place
the act of stepping in place without moving forward, as in marching
行進(こうしん)足踏(あしぶ)みをする。
To mark time during a march.
運動会(うんどうかい)足踏(あしぶ)みの練習(れんしゅう)をした。
We practiced marching in place for the sports day.
寒波(かんぱ)足踏(あしぶ)みして(からだ)(あたた)めた。
I warmed my body by stepping in place during the cold snap.
2. stagnation; standstill; making no progress
a state where no progress is made despite continued effort
景気(けいき)足踏(あしぶ)状態(じょうたい)だ。
The economy is in a state of stagnation.
交渉(こうしょう)足踏(あしぶ)みしている。
The negotiations are at a standstill.
売上(うりあげ)足踏(あしぶ)みを(つづ)けている。
Sales continue to stagnate.

VERB USAGE:

  • 足踏(あしぶ)みする (to mark time; to stagnate)
  • 足踏(あしぶ)みを(つづ)ける (to continue stagnating)

CONTEXT:
Sense 2 is commonly used in economic and business news to describe situations where growth has stopped or progress has stalled.

COLLOCATIONS:

  • 足踏(あしぶ)状態(じょうたい) (state of stagnation)
  • 景気(けいき)足踏(あしぶ)み (economic stagnation)