tread

tread the boards: seeboard.

tread (or step) on someone's toes offend someone, especially by encroaching on their privileges.

tread tackie: seetackie.

tread water

1 maintain an upright position in the water by moving the feet with a walking movement and the hands with a downward circular motion.

2 fail to advance or make progress.

❷1996Financial Post The NAPM index…has been treading water since the spring, and that is making a lot of people nervous.

tread on air: see walk on air atair.