on foot

on foot — idiom

1. travelling somewhere by walking, without using a vehicle — used for routine, eve

1.慣用語A1
釋義

travelling somewhere by walking, without using a vehicle — used for routine, everyday journeys such as going to school, shopping, commuting, or taking a stroll

例句

The museum is ten minutes away, so we can go on foot instead of taking the bus.

adverbial phrase after go: go on foot

Ava went to school on foot because the bus did not reach her village.

同義詞
  • walking

    a more general verb form; 'on foot' is an adverbial phrase describing the method of travel, while 'walking' is the action itself

  • on shank's pony

    an old-fashioned, humorous British idiom meaning the same thing; very informal and rare today

反義詞
  • by vehicle

    travelling by car, bus, train, or other transport

  • by car

    travelling in a car rather than walking

文法句型

go/come/travel/arrive + on foot

on foot + to-infinitive clause

常見錯誤

I go to work by foot every day.
I go to work on foot every day.
💡'on foot' is the standard fixed expression; 'by foot' is occasionally heard but considered non-standard in most textbooks.
I on foot go to school.
I go to school on foot.
💡'on foot' is an adverbial phrase that comes after the verb, not before it.

2. moving somewhere using your feet, especially when running or walking quickly, in

2.慣用語A2
釋義

moving somewhere using your feet, especially when running or walking quickly, in situations involving urgency, physical effort, pursuit, or exercise

例句

Beatriz was late, so she ran the last two blocks on foot.

collocation: cover [distance] + on foot

Search teams covered the forest on foot, running through the undergrowth to find the lost child.

同義詞
  • on the run

    emphasises running specifically and often implies urgency or escape rather than general travel

  • on shank's mare

    an old-fashioned informal expression; rare in modern use

反義詞
  • on horseback

    riding a horse rather than using your feet

  • by bicycle

    using a bicycle rather than walking or running

文法句型

travel/move/cover distance + on foot

flee/escape/patrol + on foot

用法筆記

This sense involves running or fast walking, unlike Sense 1 (ROUTINE WALKING), which covers only ordinary walking at a normal pace. Common in contexts involving urgency, exercise, military or police patrols, and search-and-rescue operations.

常見錯誤

I was late so I came on foot running.
I was late so I came on foot, running the last part.
💡'on foot' already includes the method; you do not need to add 'running' as a separate verb.