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

tiptoe around (someone or something)

To avoid confronting or engaging with a troublesome or undesirable person, problem, situation, issue, etc. It would be humorous if it weren't so sad the way Sarah tiptoes around her wife. The boss just keeps tiptoeing around the fact that we need to hire more staff if we want to remain competitive.
See also: around, tiptoe
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:
  • on 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 classic literature
GOODY TIPTOES picked up the nut bags and went home.
It was most kind to Timmy Tiptoes; it lent him its nightcap; and the house was full of provisions.
NOW Goody Tiptoes had set to work again by herself.
"You could squeeze in, through that little round hole," said Goody Tiptoes. "Yes, I could," said the Chipmunk, "but my husband, Chippy Hackee, bites!"
THEN Goody peeped in at the hole, and called down--"Timmy Tiptoes! Oh fie, Timmy Tiptoes!" And Timmy replied, "Is that you, Goody Tiptoes?
And now Timmy and Goody Tiptoes keep their nut-store fastened up with a little padlock.
Then Timmy Tiptoes came out, and went home with an umbrella.
Original Peter Rabbit Books
Union leaders are urging the government not to allow car giant Ford to "tiptoe" away from its engine plant in south Wales after announcing its closure.
GMB hits out over plans by car giant; FORD
'Most people,' he said, 'tiptoe through life and finally reach death!'
Tiptoeing through life..!
Don't Step in the Entre-Manure!: Tiptoe Your Way to Entrepreneurial Succes
Don't Step in the Entre-Manure!: Tiptoe Your Way to Entrepreneurial Succes
Sinitta has now claimed that she is forced to "tiptoe" around her sex attacker who is still a "very famous and powerful" man.
Sinitta says she 'tiptoes' around sex attacker who is 'very famous and powerful man'; The singer, 54, also claimed that she didn't want to "ruin" the man's life
Ill at ease, he withdrew on tiptoe, closing the door carefully behind him.
DISTURBING THE PEACE
Caption: Elephants develop foot problems in captivity when they tiptoe across hard surfaces, new research suggests.
Elephants walk on their tippy-toes
Grayling fishing is available on both the Ford and Etal Estates waters and the Tiptoe Farm beat during the winter months.
Finding wild fish is a big problem
Tiptoe Through the Tombstones LICHFIELD PLAYERS LICHFIELD GARRICK AUTHOR Norman Robbins made it clear that this sequel to his earlier work, A Tomb with a View, was a spoof, and it would be difficult to take the comedy-thriller seriously.
Laboured action in this spoof whodunnit... REVIEW