1.
running; jogging; double time
Running at a quick pace, faster than walking but not necessarily sprinting. Often used as a command in military or gym contexts.
駆け足で走る。
To run at a quick pace.
集合時間に遅れそうで、駆け足で向かった。
I was about to be late for the meeting time, so I headed there at a run.
体育の授業で校庭を駆け足で三周した。
In gym class, we ran three laps around the schoolyard at a jog.
2.
hurried; rushed; quick overview
Doing something in a hurried manner, often skipping details. Commonly used figuratively to describe a brief or superficial treatment of a topic.
駆け足で説明する。
To give a quick overview.
時間がないので駆け足で紹介します。
Since we're short on time, I'll give a quick introduction.
日本の歴史を駆け足で振り返ってみましょう。
Let's take a quick look back through Japanese history.
A compound of 駆ける (to run/gallop) + 足 (foot/pace). Has both a literal physical meaning and a very common figurative meaning of doing something hastily or in abbreviated fashion.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 駆け足で回る: to rush through (sightseeing, etc.)
- 駆け足で説明する: to explain quickly
- 駆け足で紹介する: to give a quick introduction
- 駆け足の旅: a whirlwind trip
USAGE:
The figurative sense (sense 2) is used adverbially with で, meaning "in a rushed manner." This usage is extremely common in presentations, lectures, and guided tours where time is limited.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 小走り: light jog/trot — physical running only, no figurative use
- 急ぎ足: hurried pace — walking quickly, not running