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Afoot
على قدم وساق (ʿalá qadam wa-sāq) is an idiomatic Arabic phrase literally meaning 'on foot and leg,' used to describe something that is in full swing, actively underway, or proceeding vigorously. This expression conveys the sense of motion, progress, and intense activity, often used when describing events, projects, or situations that are happening with considerable momentum and energy.
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المشروع الجديد قائم على قدم وساق منذ بدايته.
Al-mashruʿ al-jadīd qāʾim ʿalá qadam wa-sāq mundhu bidāyatihi.
The new project has been in full swing since its beginning.
الحفلة تسير على قدم وساق والجميع يستمتعون.
Al-ḥafla tasīr ʿalá qadam wa-sāq wa-al-jamīʿ yastamtaʿūn.
The party is going full speed and everyone is enjoying themselves.
العمل على قدم وساق لإنهاء البناء قبل الموعد المحدد.
Al-ʿamal ʿalá qadam wa-sāq li-inhāʾ al-bināʾ qabl al-mawʿid al-muḥaddad.
Work is proceeding vigorously to complete the construction before the deadline.
التحضيرات للعرس قائمة على قدم وساق.
Al-taḥḍīrāt li-al-ʿars qāʾima ʿalá qadam wa-sāq.
Wedding preparations are in full progress.
الشركة تعمل على قدم وساق لتحقيق أهدافها.
Al-sharika taʿmal ʿalá qadam wa-sāq li-taḥqīq ahdāfihā.
The company is working at full capacity to achieve its goals.
This phrase is deeply rooted in Arabic linguistic tradition and appears frequently in classical Arabic literature and modern media. It reflects the cultural appreciation for motion, energy, and active engagement in accomplishing tasks. Arabs use this expression commonly when discussing business ventures, social events, or any ongoing situations requiring sustained effort and momentum.
Remember that 'على قدم وساق' is always used as a fixed idiomatic phrase—do not translate it literally. It typically follows a noun or subject describing what is 'in full swing.' The phrase is formal enough for written and spoken Arabic but is also commonly used in everyday conversation. Use it when you want to emphasize that something is happening with considerable speed and intensity.
The Arabic phrase على قدم وساق (ʿalá qadam wa-sāq) is a classical idiomatic expression that translates literally as "on foot and leg" but carries the figurative meaning of "afoot," "in full swing," "in active progress," or "proceeding vigorously." This phrase is widely used in both modern and classical Arabic to describe situations, events, or projects that are actively underway with considerable momentum and energy.
While the literal components refer to physical body parts—قدم (qadam, "foot") and ساق (sāq, "leg")—the phrase's figurative meaning has nothing to do with literal walking or standing. Instead, it evokes the image of someone actively moving, running, or engaging in vigorous action. This metaphorical use emphasizes movement, progress, and dynamic activity rather than static states.
In contemporary Arabic, whether Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) or regional dialects, على قدم وساق is employed across various contexts:
Professional Settings: Business professionals use this phrase when discussing ongoing projects, corporate initiatives, or organizational changes. For example: "المشروع قائم على قدم وساق" (The project is in full swing).
Events and Celebrations: When describing weddings, conferences, festivals, or celebrations that are actively happening, Arabs frequently employ this expression to convey the energy and scale of the event.
News and Media: Journalists and news anchors commonly use this phrase when reporting on ongoing situations, developments, or stories that are unfolding with momentum.
Everyday Conversation: In daily dialogue, both educated speakers and common people use this phrase to describe anything from household renovation projects to community initiatives.
The phrase على قدم وساق functions as a prepositional phrase that typically appears after verbs or nouns describing the activity in question. The structure usually follows these patterns:
This idiom is rooted in classical Arabic literature and has been used for centuries in Arabic poetry and prose. The expression reflects the Arab cultural appreciation for dynamism, vigor, and active engagement. Historically, the phrase likely originated from descriptions of battle or physical exertion, where movement on both feet and legs represented maximum effort and commitment.
In Arab culture, this phrase carries connotations of reliability and seriousness—when something is "على قدم وساق," it suggests genuine progress and meaningful activity rather than superficial motion. This makes it a phrase of approval and confidence in many contexts.
While على قدم وساق is the most common expression, Arabic offers several synonymous phrases:
However, على قدم وساق remains the most evocative and traditional option, carrying more weight and cultural resonance.
When learning to use على قدم وساق, English speakers should remember several key points:
Do not translate literally: Avoid attempting a word-for-word translation in your mind. Instead, memorize the entire phrase as a fixed unit meaning "in full swing" or "afoot."
Use with active situations: This phrase works best with dynamic, ongoing activities—projects, events, work, construction, preparations. It would be inappropriate for static states or completed actions.
Master the construction: Most commonly, you will encounter this phrase following a verb or as a predicate. Practice sentences like "المشروع قائم على قدم وساق" until the construction becomes natural.
Understand the connotation: This phrase carries a positive or neutral tone suggesting vigorous progress, so avoid using it to describe slow, reluctant, or problematic situations.
على قدم وساق is an indispensable idiom for anyone studying Arabic seriously. Its frequent appearance in media, literature, and educated conversation makes it essential vocabulary for intermediate and advanced learners. By understanding both its literal components and its figurative meaning, and by practicing its use in various contexts, learners can add this elegant expression to their active vocabulary and speak Arabic with greater authenticity and cultural awareness.