tread carefully

tread carefully

To delicately handle or approach a situation in order not to upset or worsen the current circumstances, which may be precarious. Tread carefully when you ask Mom whether she's going to the party. She's been acting weird about it. We need to start treading carefully when it comes to our diplomacy—we can't afford to alienate any allies.
See also: carefully, tread
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

tread ˈcarefully, ˈwarily, etc.

be very careful about what you do or say: The government will have to tread very carefully in handling this issue. OPPOSITE: throw caution to the wind(s)
See also: tread
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • carefully
  • tread carefully, warily, etc.
  • warily
  • tread warily
  • move
  • false move
  • a/one false move
  • tread lightly
  • in a sticky situation
  • be on to
References in classic literature
"Well, that is really a hit about the gates," said Sir James, anxious to tread carefully. "Dagley complained to me the other day that he hadn't got a decent gate on his farm.
So while the idea for cameras in our creches needs consideration, we must tread carefully.
McPake says that, even if they have failed in their bid to snap up May, Dundee will continue to tread carefully in the transfer market.
Summary: US President Donald Trump warned Google, Facebook and Twitter to tread carefully on after recently accusing Internet and social media firms of political bias and censorship, without providing evidence, Reuters reported.
But some child development experts have called for Facebook to pull it, saying it should not be making apps for kids.<br />It's just the latest example of a tech company offering some concession to critics who say they should tread carefully or not at all, when it comes to hawking their wares to kids.
'As such, the Civil Society Refernce Group calls on the former Prime Minister to tread carefully and not to hesitate to abandon the agreement altogether,' said the statement signed by CSRG presiding convener Suba Churchill.
Speaking to the media, Shah, however, said that Pakistan needs to tread carefully in its engagement with the US.
FAISALABAD: Opposition leader in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah on Tuesday commenting on repeated US criticism said Pakistan will not take anyone's dictation on its foreign policy.Speaking to the media, Shah, however, said that Pakistan needs to tread carefully in its engagement with the US.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said on Wednesday the government should tread carefully on allowing a Chinese telecommunications company from being the third player in the country, asking it looked into the 'security aspect' of it first.
Tread carefully and seek advice from a specialist legal firm.
The Sky-high Tilt Attraction on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center | | Tread carefully on the 'Step into the Void' installation, a glass box that hangs off the edge of the Aiguille du Midi mountain, 3,300-feet up in the French Alps (Tiny.cc/stepintothevoid).
Like the Liverpool trio, Everton's Steven Naismith has also collected four cautions this season and must tread carefully.
Now the Kingdom has finally decided to open its doors for tourists, it must tread carefully and invest heavily on training of human resources.
While the Patriots made only 17 touchdown yards in their 23-21 victory over Buffalo on Saturday, they were a hugely productive team last year averaging five points more than any other NFL team, so anyone selling match TD yards at 83 should tread carefully.
But young people should tread carefully around their elders this day for it's the 50th anniversary of The Beatles first show in the region.