on toes

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiom

   ready to deal with something and paying close attention, so you are not caught by surprise

   Grammar: Usually used with a possessive word: 'on my toes', 'on your toes', 'on their toes'. It often follows keep or stay.

   Patterns

   • keep someone on their toes
   • stay on your toes
   • be on your toes

   The new manager keeps everyone on their toes with surprise checks.

   Stay on your toes during the exam; the questions are tricky.

   A good goalkeeper is always on his toes, ready for the next shot.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   standing or moving on the front part of your feet, with your heels raised

   Grammar: Used literally about the body: 'stand on your toes', 'walk on your toes'. It is not an idiom in this sense.

   Patterns

   • stand on your toes
   • walk on your toes
   • rise on your toes

   She stood on her toes to reach the top shelf.

   The dancer moved across the stage on her toes.

   He walked on his toes so that no one would hear him.

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; the road is icy here.

be on your toes

You need to be on your toes when you answer the phone.

stand on your toes

The child stood on her toes to see over the wall.

Synonyms and how they differ

alert

This is an adjective meaning watching and ready; it does not have the physical meaning of standing on your toes.

on guard

This means ready to defend against danger; 'on your toes' is more general and often means ready for any quick change.

Opposites

Word family

toe noun

One of the small parts at the end of your foot.

Commonly confused: on toes or on your feet?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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