English Dictionary

on the hoof

prep_phrase

(of livestock) Not yet butchered. / Alive; embodied in a living animal (including a human); in working order. / (of a human activity, such as eating) While standing, walking, or running; on foot.

The farmer sold the cows on the hoof.

意味（1）

(of livestock) Not yet butchered.

[…]he is hereby directed to purchase, and have in Readiness by the First Day of July next, Two Hundred good draught Horses, Thirty Hogsheads of Rum, Ninety Thousand Weight of Beef on the Hoof, Hides included,[…]

意味（2）

Alive; embodied in a living animal (including a human); in working order.

Barely 10% of the country's corn crop ever goes into commercial channels to become breakfast cereal, corn starch or oil. Less than 25% ever leaves the farm where it was grown - until it leaves on the hoof.

意味（3）

(of a human activity, such as eating) While standing, walking, or running; on foot.

Upon the breaking out of the Rebellion in that Country in 1641, the Mother fled with our Author and another Child towards England, and landing at Leverpoole in Lancashire, they all beated it on the hoof thence to London,[…]

意味（4）

(UK, informal) Without proper thought or preparation; done as one goes.

But billets need not be a great issue, and it is possible that, apart from the first and last nights, choice can be made 'on the hoof'. When on the road, consultation with the map and the clock will indicate when to start looking.