on tiptoe

on tiptoe
on tiptoe
standing or walking on the front part of the feet (the balls of the feet) with no weight put on the heels. (This is done to gain height or to walk quietly.) •

I had to stand on tiptoe in order to see over the fence.

I came in late and walked on tiptoe so I wouldn't wake anybody up.


Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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  • Tiptoe — Tip toe , a. 1. Being on tiptoe, or as on tiptoe; hence, raised as high as possible; lifted up; exalted; also, alert. [1913 Webster] Night s candles are burnt out, and jocund day Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops. Shak. [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Tiptoe mirth — Tiptoe Tip toe , a. 1. Being on tiptoe, or as on tiptoe; hence, raised as high as possible; lifted up; exalted; also, alert. [1913 Webster] Night s candles are burnt out, and jocund day Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops. Shak. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Tiptoe — Tip toe , n.; pl. {Tiptoes}. The end, or tip, of the toe. [1913 Webster] He must . . . stand on his typtoon [tiptoes]. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] Upon his tiptoes stalketh stately by. Spenser. [1913 Webster] {To be a tiptoe}, {To stand a tiptoe},… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • tiptoe — [tip′tō΄] n. the tip of a toe or the tips of the toes: usually used with reference to a foot position with the heels raised and the body s weight resting on the toes and the balls of the feet vi. tiptoed, tiptoeing to walk stealthily or… …   English World dictionary

  • Tiptoe — Tip toe , v. i. To step or walk on tiptoe. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • tiptoe — The verb has inflected forms tiptoes, tiptoed, tiptoeing. The noun is confined to the expression on tiptoe(s), where it can be singular or plural …   Modern English usage

  • tiptoe — ► VERB (tiptoes, tiptoed, tiptoeing) ▪ walk quietly and carefully with one s heels raised and one s weight on the balls of the feet. ● on tiptoe (or tiptoes) Cf. ↑on tiptoes …   English terms dictionary

  • Tiptoe Through the Tulips — is a popular song originally published in 1926. The music was written by Joe Burke, and the lyrics by Al Dubin. Versions by Nick Lucas (#1); Jean Goldkette (#5); Johnny Marvin (#11);and Roy Fox (#18) charted in 1929. It featured in the 1929 film… …   Wikipedia

  • tiptoe — (n.) mid 15c., from TIP (Cf. tip) (n.) + TOE (Cf. toe). As a verb from 1630s. Related: Tiptoes (late 14c.) …   Etymology dictionary

  • tiptoe — tip|toe1 [ tıp,tou ] noun on tiptoe(s) if you stand or walk on tiptoe, you stand or walk on your toes: If he stood on tiptoe, he could reach the shelf. tiptoe tip|toe 2 [ tıp,tou ] verb intransitive to walk on your toes: We tiptoed down the… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • tiptoe — /tip toh /, n., v., tiptoed, tiptoeing, adj., adv. n. 1. the tip or end of a toe. 2. on tiptoe, a. on the tips of one s toes. b. expectant; eager: With Christmas coming, the children were on tiptoe. c. stealthily; cautiously: The concert had… …   Universalium

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