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definitions

toe

[toh]
|

noun

verb (used with object), toed, toe·ing.

verb (used without object), toed, toe·ing.

to stand, walk, etc., with the toes in a specified position: to toe in.
to tap with the toe, as in dancing.

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Idioms

    on one's toes, energetic; alert; ready: The spirited competition kept them on their toes.
    step/tread on (someone's) toes, to offend (a person); encroach on the territory or sphere of responsibility of (another): The new employee stepped on a lot of toes when he suggested reorganizing the office.
    toe the line. line1(def 83).

Origin of toe

before 900; Middle English; Old English tā; cognate with Dutch teen, German Zehe, Old Norse tā
Related formstoe·less, adjectivetoe·like, adjective
Can be confusedtoe tow
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for step on someone's toes

toe

noun

any one of the digits of the foot
the corresponding part in other vertebrates
the part of a shoe, sock, etc, covering the toes
anything resembling a toe in shape or position
the front part of the head of a golf club, hockey stick, etc
the lower bearing of a vertical shaft assembly
the tip of a cam follower that engages the cam profile
dip one's toe in or dip one's toes in informal to begin doing or try something new or unfamiliar
on one's toes alert
tread on someone's toes to offend or insult a person, esp by trespassing on his or her field of responsibility
turn up one's toes informal to die
Australian slang speeda player with plenty of toe

verb toes, toeing or toed

(tr) to touch, kick, or mark with the toe
(tr) golf to strike (the ball) with the toe of the club
(tr) to drive (a nail, spike, etc) obliquely
(intr) to walk with the toes pointing in a specified directionto toe inwards
toe the line to conform to expected standards, attitudes, etc
Derived Formstoelike, adjective

Word Origin for toe

Old English tā; related to Old Frisian tāne, Old Norse tā, Old High German zēha, Latin digitus finger
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for step on someone's toes

toe

n.

Old English ta (plural tan), contraction of *tahe (Mercian tahæ), from Proto-Germanic *taikhwo (cf. Old Norse ta, Old Frisian tane, Middle Dutch te, Dutch teen, Old High German zecha, German Zehe "toe"), probably originally meaning "fingers" as well (many PIE languages still use one word to mean both fingers and toes). The Old English plural tan survived in southwestern England to 14c. To be on (one's) toes "alert, eager" is recorded from 1921.

toe

v.

"touch or reach with the toes," 1813, from toe (n.). First recorded in expression toe the mark, which seems to be nautical in origin.

The chief mate ... marked a line on the deck, brought the two boys up to it, making them 'toe the mark.' [R.H. Dana, "Two Years Before the Mast," 1840]

Related: Toed; toeing.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for step on someone's toes

toe

[tō]

n.

Any of the digits of a foot.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Idioms and Phrases with step on someone's toes

step on someone's toes

Also, tread on someone's toes. Hurt or offend someone. For example, Be careful what you say about her losing weight; don't step on her toes, or Would I be stepping on someone's toes if I asked to help out with the party arrangements? This metaphoric idiom transfers physical to emotional pain. [Late 1300s]

toe

In addition to the idiom beginning with toe

  • toe the line

also see:

  • dip one's toes into
  • from head to toe
  • on one's toes
  • step on someone's toes
  • turn up one's toes
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.