tiptoe

[ tip-toh ]

noun

1. the tip or end of a toe.

verb (used without object)

, tip·toed, tip·toe·ing.

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.

tiptoe

/ 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

noun

1. on tiptoe
   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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tiptoe¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

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.

More idioms and phrases containing tiptoe

see on tiptoe .

Example Sentences

"I love this. Finally, our government is not tiptoeing on these serious matters. Decisiveness will help this country," one person wrote on X.

From BBC

But when it comes to China, the government is tiptoeing nervously in the wings.

From BBC

As the hearing ended, a group of fans huddled by the courtroom doors on their tiptoes hoping to catch sight of him and show support for the rapper.

From BBC

They watched Walker Buehler tiptoe in and out of danger over four scoreless innings, the right-hander managing to get enough swing-and-miss to compensate for his spotty command.

From Los Angeles Times

As we climbed the steps leading to the iconic seventeenth-century mosque, we glimpsed a tiny tabby tiptoeing through the gorgeous courtyard, which is surrounded by tall red sandstone gates.

From Salon

Related Words

• creep
• pussyfoot
• sneak
• steal