on the hoof

à l'improviste, sans préparation

Fait au fur et à mesure des événements, sans préparation ni planification détaillée.

En anglais simple : Done as a situation develops, without careful planning or preparation.

• We made the decision on the hoof.
• She wrote her speech on the hoof during the journey.
• Too much policy is being made on the hoof.

Synonymes : on the fly, spontaneously, without preparation

Expressions courantes : decide on the hoof, policy on the hoof, plan on the hoof

sur pied, vivant

Se dit des animaux d’élevage encore vivants, qui n’ont pas été abattus pour leur viande.

En anglais simple : Describing farm animals that are still alive and have not been killed for meat.

• The farmer sells cattle on the hoof.
• Their price depends on their weight on the hoof.
• We bought the sheep on the hoof at the market.

Synonymes : live

Contraires : slaughtered

Expressions courantes : cattle on the hoof, sold on the hoof, on the hoof weight

en marchant, debout

En restant debout, en marchant ou en courant, plutôt qu’en étant assis.

En anglais simple : While standing, walking, or running, rather than sitting down.

• We ate lunch on the hoof.
• She had breakfast on the hoof while walking to work.
• I often drink my coffee on the hoof.

Synonymes : on foot, on the move

Expressions courantes : eat on the hoof, lunch on the hoof, talk on the hoof

en chair et en os, en état de marche

Bien vivant et présent en tant que personne ou animal réel, ou en état de fonctionner.

En anglais simple : Alive and present as a real person or animal, or working and usable.

• That lively horse is pure energy on the hoof.
• Our oldest neighbour is history on the hoof.
• With all her experience, she's wisdom on the hoof.

Synonymes : alive, in living form, operational

Contraires : dead

Expressions courantes : wisdom on the hoof, history on the hoof, talent on the hoof