on tiptoe(s)

1. (Stepping) very softly and quietly, especially using only or mostly the frontmost part of one's feet. We had to walk on tiptoes so that my parents didn't hear us leaving the house. Because the film had already begun, I entered the movie theater on tiptoe so as not to disturb anyone around me.

2. On the frontmost part of one's feet to raise one up by a couple of inches. Joe had to stand up on tiptoe to see over the crowd of people. She stood on tiptoes to reach the light switch on the wall.

3. Full of eager anticipation. We were all on tiptoe waiting for our parents to take us to the amusement park.

tiptoe around (someone or something)

To avoid confronting or engaging with a troublesome or undesirable person, problem, situation, issue, etc. It would be humorous if it weren't so sad the way Sarah tiptoes around her wife. The boss just keeps tiptoeing around the fact that we need to hire more staff if we want to remain competitive.

tiptoe through life

To proceed through life without exposing oneself danger or risk, but without experiencing excitement as a result. I've always felt that there's no point tiptoeing through life. You've only got one life to live, so you might as well take as many risks and have as many adventures as possible. He was a timid man who tiptoed through life, taking a secure job at a local business and remaining in the same home until the day he died.

on tiptoe

standing or walking on the front part of the feet (the balls of the feet) with no weight put on the heels. (This is done to gain height or to walk quietly.) I had to stand on tiptoe in order to see over the fence. I came in late and walked on tiptoe so I wouldn't wake anybody up.

See also: on, tiptoe

on tiptoe

1. Eagerly anticipating something, as in The children were on tiptoe before the birthday party. [Late 1500s]

2. Moving stealthily, warily, as in They went down the hall on tiptoe. [Mid-1700s] Both usages transfer standing on one's toes to a particular reason for doing so; def. 2 alludes to moving more quietly in this fashion.

See also: on, tiptoe

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

on ˈtiptoe/ˈtiptoes

standing or walking on the front part of your foot, with your heels off the ground, in order to make yourself taller or to move very quietly or lightly: She had to stand on tiptoe to reach the top shelf. ♢ We crept around on tiptoes so as not to disturb him.

See also: on, tiptoe

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

on tiptoe

Full of anticipation; eager: The children were on tiptoe before the birthday party.

See also: on, tiptoe

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

See also:

References in classic literature

GOODY TIPTOES picked up the nut bags and went home.

It was most kind to Timmy Tiptoes; it lent him its nightcap; and the house was full of provisions.

NOW Goody Tiptoes had set to work again by herself.

"You could squeeze in, through that little round hole," said Goody Tiptoes. "Yes, I could," said the Chipmunk, "but my husband, Chippy Hackee, bites!"

THEN Goody peeped in at the hole, and called down--"Timmy Tiptoes! Oh fie, Timmy Tiptoes!" And Timmy replied, "Is that you, Goody Tiptoes?

Then Timmy Tiptoes came out, and went home with an umbrella.

And now Timmy and Goody Tiptoes keep their nut-store fastened up with a little padlock.

View in context

Mrs Jones said: "He stood up from the toilet, grabbed her around the throat and pinned her against the wall to the point that she was on her tiptoes."

Drunken man in attack on his sister; anger as she confronted him about drink problem

Instead of broad, hyperbolic steps, most of the time we get measured tiptoes.

JONATHAN ROXMOUTH'S PHANTOM IS WORTH YOUR TRIP TO THE 'OPERA'

In this charming story, Little Tiger tiptoes through the forest determined to find others who will see him as sleek, silent, and totally terrifying.

The Tiptoeing Tiger

Fraser from Loose Joints has been doing nights at The Berkeley Suite, and he is on at Soba on Mitchell Lane on Friday, with Tiptoes on Saturday night.

MASH HITS WITH MASH

Thus, elephants naturally walk on their tiptoes. The harder surfaces of captive environments must cramp a natural walking style, the researchers conclude.

Elephants walk on their tippy-toes

First, the Apprentice runner-up and Celebrity Big Brother babe tried hard not to notice a pesky photographer taking a picture - just as she stood on tiptoes to accentuate her figure.

12:09pm... no longer in the Big Brother house... Luisa relaxes in an entirely natural manner; TV star strikes a poser on hols

Meanwhile, Pine Cone and Pepper Pot are not opening their door to anyone other than Tiptoes (and even then only reluctantly).

The Midsummer Mouse

Synopsis: Tiptoes Lightly loves the sea, and when Farmer John and his children, Tom Nutcracker and June Berry, drive to the seaside for Thanksgiving she goes along with them.

The Treasure Cave