tread (redirected from caterpillar)

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

Prov. Foolish people usually do not understand when a situation is dangerous, so they are not afraid to do things that would frighten more sensible people. Alan: Bob is too scared to go in and confront the boss, so I'm going to. Jane: Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

See also: angel, fear, Fool, rush

step on someone's toes and tread on someone's toes 

1. Lit. to step down onto someone's toes, causing pain. Please don't step on my toes as you walk by.

2. Fig. to offend or insult someone, as if causing physical pain. You're sure I won't be stepping on her toes if I talk directly to her supervisor? I didn't mean to tread on your toes.

See also: step, toe

tread (up)on someone or something

to walk or step on someone or something. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on. Step is more common than tread.) Don't tread on Sam, who is napping under the tree. Please don't tread on the freshly shampooed carpeting on the stairs.

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be walking/treading on eggshells

if you are walking on eggshells, you are trying very hard not to upset someone

Usage notes: An eggshell is the hard outside covering of an egg which breaks very easily.

It was like walking on eggshells with my father. The smallest thing would make him angry.

See also: eggshell, walking

step/tread on somebody'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 keep on toes

See also: step, toe

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 (often in continuous tenses) I'm just treading water until I get an opportunity to try for a job with more responsibility.

See step on toes

See also: water

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step on (somebody's) toes

to upset someone, esp. by getting involved in something that is their responsibility It's hard to make changes in the department without stepping on a lot of toes. He's willing to step on toes to get things done.

See also: step, toe

tread carefully also tread warily

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.

Related vocabulary: 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