tiptoe

American  

[tip-toh] / ˈtɪpˌtoʊ /

noun

1. the tip or end of a toe.

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verb (used without object)

tiptoed, tiptoeing

1. to move or go on tiptoe, as with caution or stealth.

   She tiptoed out of the room.

adjective

1. characterized by standing or walking on tiptoe.

2. straining upward.

3. eagerly expectant.

4. cautious; stealthy.

adverb

1. eagerly or cautiously; on tiptoe.

idioms

1. on tiptoe,

   1. on the tips of one's toes.

   2. expectant; eager.

      With Christmas coming, the children were on tiptoe.

   3. stealthily; cautiously.

      The concert had already begun, so he entered the back of the hall on tiptoe.

tiptoe British  

/ ˈtɪpˌtəʊ /

verb

1. to walk with the heels off the ground and the weight supported by the ball of the foot and the toes

2. to walk silently or stealthily

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noun

1. 1. on the tips of the toes or on the ball of the foot and the toes

   2. eagerly anticipating something

   3. stealthily or silently

adverb

1. on tiptoe

adjective

1. walking or standing on tiptoe

2. stealthy or silent

tiptoe More Idioms  

1. see on tiptoe.

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Etymology

Origin of tiptoe

1350–1400; Middle English tiptoon (plural noun). See tip ¹, toe

Example Sentences

We tiptoe around finances because we’ve been programmed by society to link our personal value to our financial status.

From MarketWatch

On that overcast morning with the F-150, Hummel stood on his tiptoes and reached both arms overhead into the tight crevices under the pickup.

From The Wall Street Journal

Goddard has tiptoed into using AI to draft opinions, with her oversight.

From The Wall Street Journal

Instead, I only recommended investors “tiptoe” back in.

From The Wall Street Journal

Investors tiptoeing back into Chinese stocks may want to consider companies that would benefit both from the rise of AI and a potential effort by Beijing to boost consumption.

From Barron's

Related Words

• creep
• pussyfoot
• sneak
• steal