Meaning

On tiptoe; on the tips of one's toes in order to move quietly or to stand taller..

Definitions by Sense

1. On tiptoe; on the tips of one's toes in order to move quietly or to stand taller.
2. Quietly, and little by little.
3. Without retreating from adversity, confrontation, or danger; standing tall; bravely, proudly, unyieldingly.
4. In a state of anticipation; keenly awaiting.
5. On tiptoe; moving or standing on the tips of one's toes.
6. (figuratively) In a state of anticipation; keenly awaiting.

Example Sentences

[T]he gate of going of Fortune ſeems quick and faſt, her ſpirit great, and courage proud, her hopes high and haughty: ſhe over-goeth Vertue, and approacheth neer at hand already; not mounting and lifting up her ſelfe now with her light and flight wings, not ſtanding a tiptoe upon a round ball or boule commeth ſhe wavering and doubtful; and then goeth her way afterwards in diſcontentment and diſpleasure: […]

We content not our ſelves with ſtanding a tiptoe for to appear greater than others; we ſtrive ſtill either to make them fall, or for to abaſe them for to appear greater by their abaſement.

[W]hilſt we were drinking a Glaſs of Wine, in came four of the Gang with their Hats ſtanding a Tiptoe on their Heads, and cock'd up, as if the Brims were Nail'd to the Crowns, with a whole Smith's Shop about their Swords, and a Tanners Warehouſe about their middle.

When I rallied him for viſiting me in ſuch a diſhabille, he ſtood a tiptoe to view himſelf in the glaſs; and owning I was in the right, ſaid that he would go and dreſs himſelf before dinner.

Our impatient friend scrambled, with some difficulty, on the top of the bench intended for his seat; and there, "paining himself to stand a-tiptoe," like [Geoffrey] Chaucer's gallant Sir Chaunticlere, he challenged the notice of the audience as he stood bowing and claiming acquaintance of his namesake, Sir Geoffrey the larger, with whose shoulders, notwithstanding his elevated situation, he was scarcely yet upon a level.

[P]eople on the floor of the court, laid their hands on the shoulders of the people before them, to help themselves, at anybody's cost, to a view of him—stood a-tiptoe, got upon ledges, stood upon next to nothing, to see every inch of him.

Moving a-tiptoe, silent as the elves, / As mischievous too, trip three bare-footed girls / Not yet opened to womanhood— […]

The timorous cowslips, one by one, / Trembling, chilly, atiptoe stand / On little hillocks and knolls alone; […]

Word Forms

• a-tiptoe

Synonyms for atiptoe

Related Words

When Should You Use Atiptoe?

Use atiptoe when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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