«Afoot» has two meanings. It means to walk. An example:
- How are you going to get to the meeting with Mr. Sanchez? Afoot. Other ways to respond to the question could be: by walking, on foot, I shall walk.
“Afoot” is the better option: one word is always better than two or more words.
There is another use: it means that something has started or is underway (en marcha). The origin of the word is from Shakespeare´s play “King Henry IV”.
Some examples of its use:
- I gather that (tengo entendido) there are plans afoot to raise taxes in Spain (se están tramitando en efecto algunos planes…).
- There are plans afoot to introduce a Covid 19 test in Tenerife (hay planes en marcha para introducir una prueba de…).
- What is afoot in your life or where you live (…está pasando/en marcha…)?
