tiptoe

Everyday

1. To walk quietly and carefully on the front parts of your feet with your heels off the ground. tree →
2. On tiptoe(s): standing or walking on your toes, sometimes to reach higher or to be quiet. tree →
3. Tiptoe around: to avoid talking about something difficult. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life you tiptoe so as not to wake a baby or to sneak up quietly. In stories, characters tiptoe to show secrecy or fear. In PE and dance, tiptoe walking builds balance. In safety: stretching on tiptoe on a wobbly chair to reach a high shelf is dangerous — ask for help or use a proper step. Phrases: on tiptoe, tiptoe past, tiptoe around, stand on tiptoes.

Examples

• We tiptoed past the sleeping baby. tree →
• She stood on tiptoe to see over the fence. tree →
• The burglar tiptoed down the hall. tree →
• Tiptoe so you don't wake Grandma. tree →
• Don't stand on tiptoe on a wobbly stool. tree →
• They tiptoed around the subject of the broken vase. tree →
• In ballet, dancers dance on the tips of their toes. tree →
• Then the children crept on tiptoe to a crack in the rocks and got in. tree →

Note

Past: tiptoed; -ing: tiptoeing (keep the «e»). One word: tiptoe. «On tiptoe» and «on tiptoes» are both used.