heel-and-toe

English

Noun

heel-and-toe (uncountable)

1. (attributive, automotive) An advanced driving technique that involves operating the throttle and brake pedals simultaneously with the right foot, facilitating normal activation of the clutch with the left foot.
2. (attributive) A mode of walking in which the heel of one foot is put on the ground before the toe of the other leaves it.
3. (nautical, military) Of a system of watches: comprising equal-length periods on and off watch.
   • 1965, Boating (volume 18, numbers 1-6, page 28)

     It is most essential on a passage where the watches are heel and toe, four on, four off, that the watch below be a time of real rest.

   • 2011, Phil Geusz, No Victory Won, page 354:

     Back when we'd started the heel-and-toe watches, I'd offset the schedule six hours in order to have both squadrons up and ready during the initial attack.