tread on (someone's) toes
(redirected from treaded on her toes)tread on (someone's) toes
To insult, offend, or upset someone, especially by involving oneself in that which is someone else's responsibility. I want to help Johnny out on his project, but I know he's very proud, and I don't want to tread on his toes in any way. Look, you're going to have to tread on a few peoples' toes if you want to get ahead in this business.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
tread (or step) on someone's toes
offend someone, especially by encroaching on their privileges.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
ˌtread on somebody’s ˈtoes
(especially British English) (American English usually ˌstep on somebody’s ˈtoes) (informal) offend or annoy somebody, especially by getting involved in something that is their responsibility: Now that we have proper job descriptions we are less likely to tread on each other’s toes.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
step/tread on someone's toes, to
To insult or offend someone. The analogy between physical and emotional pain here is obvious. H. G. Bohn’s Handbook of Proverbs (1855) stated, “Never tread on a sore toe,” which no doubt would hurt still more. The precise expression appeared in Anthony Trollope’s novel The Belton Estate (1866): “‘But you mustn’t offend my father.’—‘I won’t tread on his toes.’”
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer