tiptoe
/ˈtɪptəʊ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtɪptəʊ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtip-ˌtō -ˈtō/ (ame, mw) · /ˈtɪp.təʊ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtɪp.toʊ/ (ame, ipa)
tiptoe — noun
1. a way of standing where you balance on the front parts of your feet, keeping you
a way of standing where you balance on the front parts of your feet, keeping your heels up off the floor
Hakim stood on tiptoe to see over the tall person in front.
phrase: on tiptoe
The children went up on tiptoe, trying to reach the cookie jar.
phrase: go up on tiptoe
On tiptoe, Yelena could just manage to kiss him on the cheek.
Kofi balanced on tiptoe at the edge of the diving board.
Standing on tiptoe made Amara's calves ache after only a minute.
用法筆記
Almost always used inside the phrase 'on tiptoe' or 'on tiptoes.' The noun rarely appears alone without 'on.'
常見錯誤
tiptoe — verb
- tiptoepresent simple I / you / we / they
- tiptoes3rd person singular
- tiptoeing-ing form
- tiptoedpast simple
1. to move across a space by stepping only on the front parts of your feet, with yo
to move across a space by stepping only on the front parts of your feet, with your heels in the air, especially when you want to avoid being heard
Dimitri tiptoed past the sleeping dog to reach the front door.
tiptoe + past + object
Fatima tiptoed into the baby's room and checked if he was asleep.
tiptoe + into + location
The students tiptoed down the dark corridor after the lights went out.
Jun tiptoed around the puddles, holding new shoes above the wet ground.
I heard someone tiptoe up the creaky wooden stairs behind me.
- creep
creep suggests moving slowly and quietly, often crouching or on hands and knees; tiptoe is specifically walking on the front of the feet
- sneak
sneak emphasises not being seen, while tiptoe focuses on moving without making sound
- pad
pad means walking with soft, light steps, but the heels may still touch the ground
文法句型
tiptoe + adverb/preposition (in, out, past, around, across, down, up)
用法筆記
Often followed by a direction word (in, out, past, around, across, down, up). The verb form is rarely used without a directional complement. Past tense: 'tiptoed.'
常見錯誤
tiptoe — adverb
1. in a way that has your heels lifted off the floor and your body balanced on the
in a way that has your heels lifted off the floor and your body balanced on the front parts of your feet
Soren walked tiptoe through the library so the librarian would not look up.
walked + tiptoe
The cat moved tiptoe along the fence, stalking a bird on the other side.
moved + tiptoe (non-human subject)
Ingrid stood tiptoe on the step stool to hang the heavy picture frame.
Naima crept tiptoe across the cold floor, not wanting to wake her roommate.
文法句型
verb of movement + tiptoe
用法筆記
Only used after a verb of movement or posture such as walk, creep, go, stand. Not used with verbs that do not describe physical positioning.
tiptoe — adjective
- tiptoepositive
- more tiptoecomparative
- most tiptoesuperlative
1. describing a person or the way they stand or move when their weight rests on the
describing a person or the way they stand or move when their weight rests on the front parts of their feet and their heels are in the air
Samir caught sight of a tiptoe figure slipping past the heavy velvet curtain.
tiptoe + figure (person noun)
The tiptoe children tried to surprise their father on his birthday.
The door opened just enough for a tiptoe figure to squeeze through without making a sound.
No one heard the tiptoe visitor who left a wrapped gift on the doorstep at dawn.
文法句型
tiptoe + noun
用法筆記
This adjective is only used before a noun (attributive position). It is not used after linking verbs like 'be' or 'seem.' Compare with sense 2, which has a figurative meaning.
2. moving or acting in a careful, quiet manner to avoid being noticed
moving or acting in a careful, quiet manner to avoid being noticed
With tiptoe caution, Emeka opened the old wooden door so it would not creak.
tiptoe + caution (abstract noun)
The detective's tiptoe approach to the suspect took several weeks of patient watching.
Thandi made tiptoe enquiries around the office to discover who was leaving early.
A tiptoe investigation by the journalist uncovered the truth behind the cover-up.
文法句型
tiptoe + noun (abstract)
用法筆記
Used figuratively for actions and approaches, not physical movement. Found mainly in literary or journalistic writing. Distinguish from adjective sense 1, which describes real physical tiptoeing.