Meaning & use
on tippy toes
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phraseinformal
Standing or walking on the front parts of the feet with the heels raised, often to be quiet or reach higher.
Grammar: Used as an adverbial phrase after verbs like stand, walk, or tiptoe: She stood on tippy toes.
Patterns
- stand on tippy toes
- walk on tippy toes
- be on tippy toes
The little girl stood on tippy toes to reach the cookie jar.
He walked on tippy toes so he wouldn't wake the baby.
She had to go on tippy toes to see over the crowd.
Common combinations
- stand on tippy toes
- He stood on tippy toes to get a better view.
- walk on tippy toes
- She walked on tippy toes across the creaky floor.
- on tiptoes
- The children were on tiptoes, waiting for the surprise.
Synonyms and how they differ
- on tiptoes
- The standard, more formal version; 'on tippy toes' is more childish and informal.
- on your toes
- This idiom means being alert and ready, not literally standing on your toes.
Opposites
Word family
- tiptoe verb
- To walk quietly on the front parts of your feet.
- tiptoes noun
- The front parts of the feet when the heels are raised.
Commonly confused: on tippy toes or on your toes?
on tippy toes vs on your toes
This means being alert and prepared, while 'on tippy toes' means literally standing on the front of your feet.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'on tippy toes' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'On tippy toes' means standing or walking with heels raised, often to reach something. The other options either misuse the phrase or describe impossible actions.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “on tippy toes”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.