feet-first
UK[ˈfiːt fɜːst]US[ˈfiːt fɜːrst]
adv
With the feet going first or leading the way.
adv
In a direct, headlong, or impetuous manner.
Morpheme Breakdown
feet
first
feet
body part
first
preceding all others
Etymology
The compound adverb "feet-first" is a transparent combination of two native English words. "Feet," the plural of "foot," originates from the Proto-Germanic fōtiz, itself from the Proto-Indo-European root ped- meaning "foot." "First" derives from the Proto-Germanic furistaz, a superlative form related to "fore," meaning "most in front." The literal sense, "with the feet preceding the rest of the body," emerged naturally to describe a specific physical orientation, particularly for entering or descending. This concrete meaning was then extended metaphorically to characterize any action undertaken with unhesitating, direct, and often rash immediacy, capturing the image of plunging into a situation without forethought, as one might fall into a space feet-first.
Analysis
Structure: feet (body part) + first (preceding all others)
feet: From Old English fēt, plural of fōt (foot). A body part. Germanic origin.
first: From Old English fyrst, fierst (foremost in time or rank). Germanic origin.
Examples
The firefighter slid down the pole feet-first.
He dove into the project feet-first without reading the brief.
The baby was born feet-first, which required special care.