walk on eggs

Idioms and Phrases

Proceed very cautiously, as in I knew I was walking on eggs when I asked about the department's involvement in the lawsuit . This metaphoric idiom transfers walking on fragile eggs to discussing or investigating a dangerous subject. [First half of 1700s]

Example Sentences

Mr. Kristoff, I do not understand why you and many other journalists continue to walk on eggs in regards to the reporting about the total destruction of American institutions and our democratic way of life that's being chipped away daily by Donald Trump and his Cabinet.

From New York Times

"Those who value her companionship walk on eggs," said George T. Jones, a columnist for the Monroe Journal.

From National Geographic

“It’s like he has to walk on eggs and make sure he doesn’t break any of them, because he might then be accused of being the person who blew up the reconciliation deal.”

From New York Times

"Modern American young people seem to walk on eggs more than any other generation in the 20th century," writes Sociologist Reuel Denney of the University of Chicago in Daedalus.

From Time Magazine Archive

Says Lodge: "I walk on eggs some of the time."

From Time Magazine Archive

Related Words

• heed
• take care