忍(しの)び足(あし)

しのびあし

noun

stealthy steps; tiptoeing

1. stealthy steps; tiptoeing; sneaking

Walking very quietly so as not to be noticed or heard. Often used with the particle で to describe the manner of walking.

忍(しの)び足(あし)で部屋(へや)を出(で)た。

I left the room on tiptoe.

赤(あか)ちゃんを起(お)こさないように忍(しの)び足(あし)で歩(ある)いた。

I walked stealthily so as not to wake the baby.

猫(ねこ)が忍(しの)び足(あし)で獲物(えもの)に近(ちか)づいていく様子(ようす)は、まるで忍者(にんじゃ)のようだ。

The way the cat creeps toward its prey on stealthy feet is just like a ninja.

Usage

Most commonly used with で as an adverbial phrase: 忍(しの)び足(あし)で歩(ある)く (to walk stealthily), 忍(しの)び足(あし)で近(ちか)づく (to approach stealthily).
Evokes a vivid image of quiet, careful movement. Often used in narrative and descriptive writing. Can apply to both humans and animals.

Common collocations

忍(しの)び足(あし)で歩(ある)く (to walk on tiptoe)
忍(しの)び足(あし)で近(ちか)づく (to sneak up on)
忍(しの)び足(あし)で出(で)る (to sneak out)

Related Words

Compare: つま先立(さきだ)ち (standing on tiptoe)

general

Added 2026.3.9 17:32 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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