Meaning & use
on my toes
Last updated
UK/ɒn maɪ ˈtəʊz/
US/ɑːn maɪ ˈtoʊz/
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
Alert and ready to deal with whatever happens; paying close attention.
Grammar: The possessive pronoun changes to match the subject: I am on my toes, she is on her toes.
Patterns
- keep someone on their toes
- stay on your toes
- be on your toes
The new manager keeps us on our toes with surprise checks.
You have to be on your toes when you work with children.
Staying on my toes helped me catch the mistake early.
Common combinations
- keep someone on their toes
- The fast pace of the game kept the players on their toes.
- stay on your toes
- Stay on your toes during the exam and read every question carefully.
- be on your toes
- You need to be on your toes when driving in heavy rain.
Synonyms and how they differ
- alert
- A general adjective meaning watchful; 'on your toes' is more idiomatic and often suggests readiness to act.
- attentive
- Focuses on paying attention; 'on your toes' adds a sense of being ready to respond quickly.
Opposites
Practice
What does 'on my toes' mean in 'The surprise quiz kept me on my toes'?
Choose one answer.
'On my toes' here means alert and ready, not literally standing on tiptoes. The other options describe physical posture, tiredness, or confusion, which do not fit the idiom.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “on my toes”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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