footsie
noun
foot·sie ˈfu̇t-sē 
variants or footsy
1
: a furtive flirtatious caressing with the feet (as under a table)
2
: a usually surreptitious cooperation or negotiation with someone supposed hostile to one's own interests —usually used with play
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web When the two single moms brought them together for family dinners, Devi and Des were condemned to playing footsie for the evening and hiding their relationship. 
Sakshi Venkatraman, NBC News, 24 Aug. 2022 Examples abound, but one of the latest is the party’s embrace of weak energy policies and its decision to play footsie with the Left’s climate hysterics for crass political purposes. Chip Roy, National Review, 5 July 2022 Even Republican candidates who don’t subscribe to the most radical theories aiming to overturn past elections are playing political footsie with those who do. New York Times, 18 May 2022 The trouble is that while the former American diplomat has been breaking a sweat for the cause on the D.C. lunch and cocktail circuit, Mr. Bukele has been courting China and playing footsie with transnational criminal organizations. Mary Anastasia O’grady, WSJ, 9 Jan. 2022 Youngkin firmly rejected the January 6 Capitol riot and didn't pre-judge the integrity of the election, although Trump played footsie with that message in some of his personal statements in the weeks leading up to Election Day. Scott Jennings, CNN, 3 Nov. 2021 Youngkin’s strategy seemed straightforward: Avoid the most bombastic corners of Trump world—particularly the claim that the 2020 election was stolen—while playing footsie with it. Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 29 Sep. 2021 The Republicans’ willingness to play footsie with the equity agenda is surprising, if not politically foolish. Dan Lennington, National Review, 5 Aug. 2021 No one inside the Capitol or who deals with lawmakers is talking publicly about the Legislature playing footsie with powerful interests. George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2021 See More
Sakshi Venkatraman, NBC News, 24 Aug. 2022 Examples abound, but one of the latest is the party’s embrace of weak energy policies and its decision to play footsie with the Left’s climate hysterics for crass political purposes. Chip Roy, National Review, 5 July 2022 Even Republican candidates who don’t subscribe to the most radical theories aiming to overturn past elections are playing political footsie with those who do. New York Times, 18 May 2022 The trouble is that while the former American diplomat has been breaking a sweat for the cause on the D.C. lunch and cocktail circuit, Mr. Bukele has been courting China and playing footsie with transnational criminal organizations. Mary Anastasia O’grady, WSJ, 9 Jan. 2022 Youngkin firmly rejected the January 6 Capitol riot and didn't pre-judge the integrity of the election, although Trump played footsie with that message in some of his personal statements in the weeks leading up to Election Day. Scott Jennings, CNN, 3 Nov. 2021 Youngkin’s strategy seemed straightforward: Avoid the most bombastic corners of Trump world—particularly the claim that the 2020 election was stolen—while playing footsie with it. Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 29 Sep. 2021 The Republicans’ willingness to play footsie with the equity agenda is surprising, if not politically foolish. Dan Lennington, National Review, 5 Aug. 2021 No one inside the Capitol or who deals with lawmakers is talking publicly about the Legislature playing footsie with powerful interests. George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
diminutive of foot entry 1
First Known Use
1944, in the meaning defined at sense 1