on tiptoe

on tiptoe(s)

1. Stepping very softly and quietly, especially using only or mostly the frontmost part of one's feet. We had to walk on tiptoes so that my parents didn't hear us leaving the house. Because the film had already begun, I entered the movie theater on tiptoe so as not to disturb anyone around me.
2. Standing on the frontmost part of one's feet to raise one up by a couple of inches. Joe had to stand up on tiptoe to see over the crowd of people. She stood on tiptoes to reach the light switch on the wall.
See also: on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

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.
See also: on, tiptoe
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

on tiptoe

1. Eagerly anticipating something, as in The children were on tiptoe before the birthday party. [Late 1500s]
2. Moving stealthily, warily, as in They went down the hall on tiptoe. [Mid-1700s] Both usages transfer standing on one's toes to a particular reason for doing so; def. 2 alludes to moving more quietly in this fashion.
See also: on, tiptoe
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

on ˈtiptoe/ˈtiptoes

standing or walking on the front part of your foot, with your heels off the ground, in order to make yourself taller or to move very quietly or lightly: She had to stand on tiptoe to reach the top shelf. We crept around on tiptoes so as not to disturb him.
See also: on, tiptoe
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

on tiptoe

Full of anticipation; eager: The children were on tiptoe before the birthday party.
See also: on, tiptoe
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • tiptoe
  • on tiptoe(s)
  • on tiptoe/tiptoes
  • carry a big stick
  • touch (one's) forelock
  • touch your forelock
  • touch/tug your forelock
  • tug (one's) forelock
  • tug your forelock
  • softly-softly
References in periodicals archive
Bydd A Lifetime on Tiptoes yn cael ei darlledu ar orsaf radio cymunedol Desi Radio, a bydd hi ar gael ar wefan Gwanwyn.
Dywedodd Dominic Rai, cyfarwyddwr artistig Theatr M[sz]n Mel[sz]: "Mae A Lifetime on Tiptoes yn dathlu ein dynoliaeth gyffredin.
Kuljit Bhamra yn perfformio sgr gerddorol A Lifetime on Tiptoes am y tro cyntaf erioed yng Nghynulliad Cymru
Ar flaenau'r traed
A Lifetime on Tiptoes, which will be officially launched at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay tomorrow, is a play by Mazhar Tirmazi, which is being turned into an ambitious radio and internet project in Punjabi.
A Lifetime on Tiptoes will be ready for podcast by the summer.
He said: "A Lifetime on Tiptoes celebrates our common humanity.
"The story of the partition of British India in 1947, that is recounted by A Lifetime on Tiptoes, definitely has connections with modern Wales.
Welsh festival helps Punjabi project on partition of India
'A Lifetime on Tiptoes' is a play by Mazhar Tirmazi, which is being turned into an ambitious radio and internet project in Panjabi.
'A Lifetime on Tiptoes' will be broadcast by the London-based Asian community radio station Desi Radio and be available from the Gwanwyn website.
Dominic Rai, artistic director of the M[sz]n Mel[sz] theatre company, says: "A Lifetime on Tiptoes celebrates our common humanity.
'A Lifetime on Tiptoes'