Cover with foot first then keep reading (5,2)

'cover' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with motion as well as being verbs in their base form.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'with foot first then keep reading' is the wordplay.
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'foot' becomes 'tread' (treading is a kind of footing).
'first then keep reading' becomes 'on' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'tread' put next to 'on' is 'TREAD ON'.

Can you help me to learn more?