1 A2 neutral
To walk very quietly on one's toes, avoiding making noise.
"She tiptoeed around the bedroom so she wouldn't wake the sleeping baby."
inseparable
tiptoe around
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
To move quietly on one's toes, or figuratively to avoid a sensitive subject or person very carefully so as not to cause upset.
In plain English
To be very careful and quiet about a topic so you don't upset anyone.
What does "tiptoe around" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To avoid addressing a sensitive topic directly, out of delicacy or fear of causing offence.
"Politicians keep tiptoeing around the real cost of the reforms instead of being honest."
“
We've been tiptoeing around this issue for too long.
— Common political and journalistic usage; widely attested in editorials and speeches.
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To walk around on the tips of one's toes in order to be quiet.
Actually means
To be very careful and quiet about a topic so you don't upset anyone.
Usage tip
The figurative sense is far more common in everyday use. Often used with abstract nouns like 'the issue', 'the subject', or 'the problem'. Carries a slightly negative connotation, implying cowardice or excessive caution.
Words that pair with "tiptoe around"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
issue subject topic problem question feelings
How to conjugate "tiptoe around"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
tiptoe around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tiptoes around
he/she/it
Past simple
tiptoed around
yesterday
Past participle
tiptoed around
have + pp
-ing form
tiptoing around
continuous
Hear "tiptoe around" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "tiptoe around" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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