pussyfoot

verb /ˈpʊsiˌfʊt/

1. To move silently, stealthily, or furtively.

   intransitive

2. To act timidly or cautiously.

   intransitive

   — Hey, I’m 0 for 1 when it comes to practicing what I preach. These feet stay pussied for the time being.

   — So are you going to practice what you’re preaching and stop pussyfooting around with Faye?

3. To use euphemistic language or circumlocution.

   intransitive

   "Then you talk up! And plain! What's there to be so pussyfooting about?"

Where it comes from

From pussy (“feline”) + foot; because of the light and careful tread of cats.

Adapted from the Wiktionary entry pussyfoot (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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