underfoot

adverb

1. under the foot or feet; on the ground; underneath or below: The climb was difficult because there were so many rocks underfoot.
2. so as to form an obstruction, as in walking; in the way: the ends of her sash falling constantly underfoot.

adjective

3. lying under the foot or feet; in a position to be trodden upon.

adverb

1. underneath the feet; on the ground
2. in a position of subjugation or subservience
3. in the way

adv.c.1200, underfot “under the feet,” from under + foot. Cf. Middle Dutch ondervoete. As an adj., attested from 1590s; in reference to persons, “continually in the way,” it is recorded from 1891.