walk on eggshells
English
editEtymology
edit1800s usage, probably from the imagery that eggshells are easily broken when stepped upon.
Pronunciation
edit- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˌwɔːk ɒn ˈɛɡʃɛlz/
- (General American) IPA(key): /ˌwɔk ɑn ˈɛɡʃɛlz/, /ˌwɑk-/, /-ɔn-/
Audio (General Australian): (file)
Verb
editwalk on eggshells (third-person singular simple present walks on eggshells, present participle walking on eggshells, simple past and past participle walked on eggshells)
- (idiomatic) To be overly careful in dealing with a person or situation because they get angry or offended very easily; to try very hard not to upset someone or something.
- (idiomatic) To be careful and sensitive, in handling very sensitive matters.
Translations
editto act carefully to avoid upsetting someone
|
to handle sensitive matters delicately
|
See also
edit- (walking) on thin ice
- pussyfoot
- tread lightly
References
edit- “walk on eggshells”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.