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.

tread (or step) on someone's toes

offend someone, especially by encroaching on their privileges.

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.

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.’”