tiptoe around
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words
To be very careful and quiet about a topic so you don't upset anyone.
Literal meaning: To walk around on the tips of one's toes in order to be quiet.
Meanings
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."
Grammar: inseparable
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.
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
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.
Commonly used with
issue subject topic problem question feelings
Forms
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
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