To pull foot, verb. phr. (American).—To make haste. Variants are to take one’s foot in one’s hand, and to make tracks; but for synonyms, see Absquatulate and Skedaddle.
1825. Neal, Brother Jonathan, Bk. I., ch. iv., How they pulled foot when they seed us commin.
1836. Michael Scott, Tom Cringle’s Log, ch. viii. ‘Why, pull foot, captain,’ promptly replied Paul.
1843–4. Haliburton, Sam Slick in England. I look’d up; it was another shower, by gosh. I pulls foot for dear life.
To take Mr. Foot’s horse, verb. phr. (old).—To walk; to go by Shank’s mare (q.v.) For synonyms, see Pad the hoof.
To know the length of one’s foot, verb. phr. (old).—To be well acquainted with one’s character.
1581. Lilly, Euphues, etc. But you shall not know the length of my foot, untill by your cunning you get commendation.
1614. Terence in English. He measures an other man’s foote by his owne last. Hee considers an other mans meaning by his owne intent.
Footer, subs. (Harrow: once common).—1. Short for ‘football.’
2. (University).—A player of football according to Rugby rules.