toe

[ toh ]

noun

1. one of the terminal digits of the human foot.
2. an analogous part in certain animals.
3. the forepart of the foot or hoof of a horse or the like.
4. the forepart of anything worn on the foot, as of a shoe or stocking.
5. a part resembling a toe in shape or position.
6. Railroads. the end of a frog in front of the point and in the direction of the switch.
7. Machinery.
   1. a journal or part placed vertically in a bearing, as the lower end of a vertical shaft.
   2. a curved partial cam lifting the flat surface of a follower and letting it drop; wiper.
8. Golf. the outer end of the head of a club.

verb (used with object)

, toed, toe·ing.

1. to furnish with a toe or toes.
2. to touch or reach with the toes:

   The pitcher toed the mound, wound up, and threw a fastball.

3. to kick with the toe.
4. Golf. to strike (the ball) with the toe of the club.
5. Carpentry.
   1. to drive (a nail) obliquely.
   2. to toenail.

verb (used without object)

, toed, toe·ing.

1. to stand, walk, etc., with the toes in a specified position:

   to toe in.

2. to tap with the toe, as in dancing.

toe

/ təʊ /

noun

1. any one of the digits of the foot
2. the corresponding part in other vertebrates
3. the part of a shoe, sock, etc, covering the toes
4. anything resembling a toe in shape or position
5. the front part of the head of a golf club, hockey stick, etc
6. the lower bearing of a vertical shaft assembly
7. the tip of a cam follower that engages the cam profile
8. dip one's toe in or dip one's toes in informal.
   to begin doing or try something new or unfamiliar
9. on one's toes
   alert
10. tread on someone's toes
    to offend or insult a person, esp by trespassing on his or her field of responsibility
11. turn up one's toes informal.
    to die
12. slang.
    speed

    a player with plenty of toe

verb

1. tr to touch, kick, or mark with the toe
2. tr golf to strike (the ball) with the toe of the club
3. tr to drive (a nail, spike, etc) obliquely
4. intr to walk with the toes pointing in a specified direction

   to toe inwards

5. toe the line
   to conform to expected standards, attitudes, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈtoeˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• toeless adjective
• toelike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of toe¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English tā; cognate with Dutch teen, German Zehe, Old Norse tā

Word History and Origins

Origin of toe¹

Old English tā; related to Old Frisian tāne, Old Norse tā, Old High German zēha, Latin digitus finger

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on one's toes, energetic; alert; ready:

   The spirited competition kept them on their toes.

2. 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.

3. toe the line. line ¹( def 83 ).

More idioms and phrases containing toe

In addition to the idiom beginning with toe , 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 .

Example Sentences

Arsenal's Declan Rice could only play 71 minutes of the draw at Chelsea with an already broken toe, while Bukayo Saka also went off injured.

From BBC

While Nacua and Kupp have practiced this week, receiver Demarcus Robinson did not practice Thursday and was limited Friday because of toe and hip issues, according to the injury report.

From Los Angeles Times

Later he adds, “Fascism is good for business if you toe the line. Popular podcasts became tribal and divisive years ago. Now they may be in the position to become part of the media oligarchy under the new anti-democratic government.”

From Salon

I don’t think she’s perfect and I wouldn’t have picked her over other progressives, but bodily autonomy is incredibly important to me, and even though the Dems toe the line of the status quo in a way that doesn’t excite or impress, they seem to be way less hellbent on controlling individual people’s biologies and health choices.

From Slate

He worked as a columnist for many years, but gradually fell foul of the Algerian government because of his refusal to toe the line.

From BBC