Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

think on one's feet

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.29 in modern English

Syllables: think on one's feet
IPA

25

Scrabble Score

15

Letters

1

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

When one is in the middle of a process, activity, or conversation, to adjust rapidly, effectively, and intelligently to new developments or changing circumstances.

Example Sentences

""There will be wine," said Medora. "Drink it. There may be toasts. Be ready to respond." Abner could think on his feet—speech would not fail."
"The political canvass had given freedom to his wings; he had learned to think on his feet, to meet interruption, to parry in debate."
"Clemens had to think on his feet, adjust on the run, make split-second decisions and, if he messed up, contend with the consequences."

Inflected Forms

thinks on one's feet (present, singular) thinking on one's feet (participle, present) thought on one's feet (participle, past) thought on one's feet (past)

Phrases

make it up as one goes along

Frequently Paired Words

make it up as one goes along

Synonyms

extemporize improvise

Questions

What does think on one's feet mean?: When one is in the middle of a process, activity, or conversation, to adjust rapidly, effectively, and intelligently to new developments or changing circumstances.

How to pronounce think on one's feet

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