walk on eggshells
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
1800s 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 (AU) (file)
Verb[edit]
walk 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[edit]
to act carefully to avoid upsetting someone
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to handle sensitive matters delicately
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See also[edit]
- (walking) on thin ice
- pussyfoot
- tread lightly
References[edit]
- “walk on eggshells”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.