pad the hoof

English

Verb

pad the hoof (third-person singular simple present pads the hoof, present participle padding the hoof, simple past and past participle padded the hoof)

1. (archaic) Synonym of beat the hoof (“walk; go on foot”)
   • 1839, Henry Curling, Some Account of The Field of the Cloth of Gold of Eglintoun, page 21:

     Many who had engaged and dressed for seats in the various conveyances, found themselves necessitated to pad the hoof in all their bravery; and ladies were obliged to walk, on that day, who never imagined they would have so vulgarized their sandaled legs and feet.

   • 1894, Stanley John Weyman, “I. The Fair at Fécamp”, in The Man in Black:

     "If I knew I should not be padding the hoof," he said.