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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

think on one's feet en · VERB

Pronunciation

Meanings

  1. (idiomatic) When one is in the middle of a process, activity, or conversation, to adjust rapidly, effectively, and intelligently to new developments or changing circumstances.
    • The political canvass had given freedom to his wings; he had learned to think on his feet, to meet interruption, to parry in debate. c. 1919, Elbert Hubbard, “Richard Cobden”, in Little Journeys, Volume 9: Great Reformers:
    • Clemens had to think on his feet, adjust on the run, make split-second decisions and, if he messed up, contend with the consequences. 2007 September 16, Karen Crouse, “Covering New Ground, Jets’ Clemens Relies on Deep Roots”, in New York Times, retrieved 07 Nov 2011:
    • "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. 1901, Henry B. Fuller, chapter 24, in Under the Skylights:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
thinking on one's feet Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
thinks on one's feet Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
thought on one's feet Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
thought on one's feet Tense=Past lexicographic

Relateds

make it up as one goes along

Synonyms

extemporize · improvise

Translations (3)

fi ajatella seisaaltaan (adjust rapidly to new developments) · pl myśleć szybko (adjust rapidly to new developments) · cmn 隨機應變 /随机应变 (adjust rapidly to new developments)