toe

toe
[[t]to͟ʊ[/t]]
toes, toeing, toed
1) N-COUNT: usu pl Your toes are the five movable parts at the end of each foot.
2) N-COUNT The toe of a shoe or sock is the part that covers the end of your foot.
3) PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR n If you dip your toes into something or dip your toes into the waters of something, you start doing that thing slowly and carefully, because you are not sure whether it will be successful or whether you will like it.

This may encourage gold traders to dip their toes back into the markets...

Universities are dipping their toes in the waters of management education.

4) PHRASE: V inflects If you say that someone or something keeps you on your toes, you mean that they cause you to remain alert and ready for anything that might happen.

His fiery campaign rhetoric has kept opposition parties on their toes for months.

5) PHRASE: V inflects If you toe the line, you behave in the way that people in authority expect you to.

...attempts to persuade the rebel members to toe the line...

He's one of the politicians that wouldn't toe the party line.

6) PHRASE: V inflects If you tread on someone's toes, you offend them by criticizing the way that they do something or by interfering in their affairs. [INFORMAL]

I must be careful not to tread on their toes. My job is to challenge, but not threaten them.


English dictionary. 2008.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Toe — Toe, n. [OE. too, taa, AS. t[=a]; akin to D. teen, G. zehe, OHG. z[=e]ha, Icel. t[=a], Sw. t[*a], Dan. taa; of uncertain origin. [root]60.] 1. (Anat.) One of the terminal members, or digits, of the foot of a man or an animal. Each one, tripping… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • toe — [tō] n. [ME to < OE ta, earlier tahe, akin to Ger zehe < IE base * deik̑ , to show > TEACH, L dicere, to say, digitus] 1. a) any of the five jointed parts at the front of the human foot; digit b) the forepart of the human foot c) the… …   English World dictionary

  • Toe — Toe, v. i. To hold or carry the toes (in a certain way). [1913 Webster] {To toe in}, to stand or carry the feet in such a way that the toes of either foot incline toward the other. {To toe out}, to have the toes of each foot, in standing or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Toe — Toe, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Toed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Toeing}.] To touch or reach with the toes; to come fully up to; as, to toe the mark. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • toe — UK US /təʊ/ verb [T] ● toe the line Cf. toe the line …   Financial and business terms

  • toe — ► NOUN 1) any of the five digits at the end of the foot. 2) the lower end, tip, or point of something. ► VERB (toes, toed, toeing) ▪ push, touch, or kick with one s toes. ● make someone s toes curl …   English terms dictionary

  • toe-in — toe′ in n. aum the slight forward convergence given to the front wheels of an automobile to improve steering qualities • Etymology: 1925–30 …   From formal English to slang

  • toe-in — [tō′in΄] n. nearly parallel alignment of the front wheels of a motor vehicle such that the front edges are slightly closer together and so provide necessary tension on the steering linkage …   English World dictionary

  • Toe — This article is about the body part. For other uses, see Toe (disambiguation). Ring toe redirects here. For the ring designed to be worn on a toe, see Toe ring. Toes Toes on the foot. The innermost toe (bottom left in image), which is normally… …   Wikipedia

  • toe — /toʊ / (say toh) noun 1. (in humans) one of the terminal members or digits of the foot. 2. an analogous part in other animals. 3. the forepart of the foot or hoof of a horse or the like. 4. a part, as of a stocking or shoe, to cover the toes. 5.… …  

  • toe — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ big ▪ The shoe pressed painfully against her big toe. ▪ little, pinky (AmE) ▪ bare ▪ Under his bare toes the …   Collocations dictionary

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