on one's toes

Idioms and Phrases

Alert, ready to act, as in Orchestra players must be on their toes all the time, so as not to miss an entrance . This metaphoric expression probably alludes to boxers or runners who must be on their toes in order to move or start quickly. It gained currency with Richard Rodgers' and Lorenz Hart's extremely popular musical, On Your Toes (1936). [Early 1900s]

Example Sentences

Such a beast seems glad enough to lame himself or stamp on one's toes without thinking even for a moment whether it might be inconvenient or otherwise distasteful to his employers.

From Project Gutenberg

Charterers have a trick of treading on one's toes occasionally, and I don't think I should take kindly to business as it appears to be carried on in the neighboring city.

From Project Gutenberg

The military men said that during a heavy explosion it was best to stand on one's toes with the mouth open.

From Time Magazine Archive

He tells a vivid story, creates characters as credible as if they were stepping on one's toes, and uses the English language with beauty and wit.

From Time Magazine Archive

It was not pleasant to have the iron-bound cover of a heavy chest poked into the small of one’s back without leave or licence, and the entire article being subsequently deposited on one’s toes!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• apprehensive
• careful
• cautious
• cognizant
• conscious
• conversant
• knowledgeable
• observant
• respectful
• solicitous
• vigilant
• wary
• watchful