toe
one of the terminal digits of the human foot.
an analogous part in certain animals.
the forepart of the foot or hoof of a horse or the like.
the forepart of anything worn on the foot, as of a shoe or stocking.
a part resembling a toe in shape or position.
Railroads. the end of a frog in front of the point and in the direction of the switch.
Machinery.
a journal or part placed vertically in a bearing, as the lower end of a vertical shaft.
a curved partial cam lifting the flat surface of a follower and letting it drop; wiper.
Golf. the outer end of the head of a club.
to furnish with a toe or toes.
to touch or reach with the toes: The pitcher toed the mound, wound up, and threw a fastball.
to kick with the toe.
Golf. to strike (the ball) with the toe of the club.
Carpentry.
to drive (a nail) obliquely.
to toenail.
to stand, walk, etc., with the toes in a specified position: to toe in.
to tap with the toe, as in dancing.
Idioms about toe
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
1Other words from toe
- toeless, adjective
- toelike, adjective
Words that may be confused with toe
- toe , tow
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use toe in a sentence
My sisters and I suited up in head-to-toe PPE to be with my mother for 20 minutes.
Why We Need a Collective Vision to Design the Future of Health | Abner Mason | November 11, 2020 | Singularity HubWith the New Year come New Year’s resolutions, which means there are plenty of shoppers who are dipping their toes into the waters of self-improvement.
Connected TV strategies to capture New Year’s resolution shoppers | Sponsored Content: SteelHouse | November 9, 2020 | Search Engine LandMind the extremities Fingers and toes are often the first to get cold — and among the biggest risks for frostbite.
Winter camping is not for the faint of heart. Here’s how to do it. | Melanie D.G. Kaplan | November 6, 2020 | Washington PostKing said that her team is just “dipping their toes” into bundling with the FT campaign that ran for a couple weeks, ending in mid-October.
How the Washington Post is expanding its global subscriber base | Kayleigh Barber | October 30, 2020 | DigidayComrad’s products include toe and heel padding, as well as the moisture-absorbing fabric that can keep your feet dry.
Clothing and accessories that make great gifts | PopSci Commerce Team | October 6, 2020 | Popular-Science
One startup toeing the line between doomsday preppers and expensive salad aficionados is Garden Fresh Farms.
America’s Next Agricultural Revolution Will Happen Indoors | Sarah Kunst | April 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWith that sentence, he put me right back inside the bubble, tip-toeing through the minefield of the NFL-battered psyche.
Murder Doesn’t Shake NFL’s Dream World of Consequence-Free Violence | Nate Jackson | December 4, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTThat endows him with significant business gravitas along with a certain freedom from toeing the party line.
Democratic Sen. Mark Warner Defies Party to Engage GOP on a Deficit deal | Linda Killian | December 28, 2011 | THE DAILY BEASTMurdoch, though, has insisted on toeing the line, even writing a letter to the committee doubling down on his claims.
The woman ceased from her mysterious foolery, and started tip-toeing toward the door.
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Complete | Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)Here and there a wild plum leaned out from the bank like a white-clad girl tip-toeing to her own reflection.
Anne Of Green Gables | Lucy Maud MontgomeryHe developed a chronic grouch, and it was not long before he had the two weaker men toeing the mark.
The Trail of '98 | Robert W. ServiceA fattish child made her way up the walk, toeing out unnecessarily, and let herself in by the back door without knocking.
Turn About Eleanor | Ethel M. KelleyI more than once heard his scorn of "tip-toeing," and shall be able to give another instance by-and-by.
Memoirs of a Surrey Labourer | George Sturt (AKA George Bourne)
British Dictionary definitions for toe
/ (təʊ) /
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 speed: a player with plenty of toe
(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 direction: to toe inwards
toe the line to conform to expected standards, attitudes, etc
Origin of toe
1Derived forms of toe
- toelike, adjective
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with 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.
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