dip toes

Meaning

1. 1phraseidiomfigurative

   to try an activity or subject in a small, careful way before deciding whether to do it seriously

   Grammar: Used with a possessive word before 'toes': dip your toes into something. Also seen as 'dip a toe into something'.

   Patterns

   • dip your toes into something
   • dip a toe into something
   • dip your toes in something

   She dipped her toes into online teaching last summer and now runs a full course.

   He dipped a toe into the stock market with a very small investment.

   Before moving abroad, they dipped their toes into learning Spanish with a short evening class.

Common combinations

dip your toes into the water

The company is just dipping its toes into the water before a full launch.

dip a toe into something

I thought I'd dip a toe into photography and see if I enjoy it.

dip your toes in the market

New investors often dip their toes in the market with a tiny amount.

dip your toes into politics

After years of local volunteering, she dipped her toes into politics.

Synonyms and how they differ

dabble

'Dabble in' is close but often suggests a casual, not very serious interest; 'dip your toes into' stresses a cautious first attempt.

test the waters

This means checking whether something is a good idea before starting; 'dip your toes into' means actually trying it a little.

try out

'Try out' is more general and neutral; 'dip your toes into' adds the idea of being careful and not committing fully.

Opposites

Word family

toe noun

one of the small parts at the end of a foot; the literal body part in this idiom

toe-dip noun

a very small, cautious first attempt at something (informal)

Commonly confused: dip toes or tip toe?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “dip toes”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words