tread (redirected from caterpillar)

be walking/treading on eggshells

if you are walking on eggshells, you are trying very hard not to upset someone. It was like walking on eggshells with my father. The smallest thing would make him angry.

See also: eggshell, walking

Fools rush in (where angels fear to tread).

something that you say which means that stupid people do things without thinking about them enough. Alan volunteered to be chairman and now he regrets it. Fools rush in, is all I can say.

See also: Fool, rush

step/tread on someone's toes

to say or do something which upsets someone, especially by becoming involved in something which is their responsibility. I'd like to make some changes to the working procedures, but I don't want to tread on anyone's toes.

See also: step, toe

tread a fine/thin line between something

if someone treads a fine line between a good quality and a bad quality, they succeed in having only the good quality. Somehow he manages to tread that fine line between honesty and tactlessness.

See also: between, fine, line, thin

tread the boards

to act in the theatre. So you're treading the boards these days, Emma. Earning any money?

See also: board

tread water

someone who is treading water is not doing anything to make progress. I'm just treading water until I get an opportunity to try for a job with more responsibility. (often in continuous tenses)

See also: water

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tread carefully

to avoid saying or doing anything that could cause difficulties. Some companies continue to tread carefully when doing business on the Internet.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form tread cautiously: You should tread cautiously when discussing financial matters with him.

tread water

to be active but without making progress or falling farther behind. Sales are about the same as last year, and the company is pretty much treading water.

mark time

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of tread water (= to stay in one place in water by moving your legs quickly)

See also: water