on the hoof

== English == === Etymology === The literal sense concerning livestock has no more to it as a sum of parts than the corresponding sense of on foot does. A reference to humans being on the hoof occurs in a text from England in 1691. (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.) === Prepositional phrase === on the hoof Of livestock, not yet butchered. (idiomatic) Alive; embodied in a living animal (including a human); in working order. (idiomatic) Of a human activity, while standing, walking, or running; on foot. 2005, Brokeback Mountain, 00:52:30: "Look at this crowd! Bound to be a lot of pussy on the hoof in a crowd like this." (UK, informal, idiomatic) Without proper thought or preparation; done as one goes. [from 1980] Synonym: on the fly Near-synonym: extempore ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ====