Idiom
Walk on eggshells
To walk on eggshells is to be extremely careful about what you say or do so you don't upset someone.
How people use it
People use it about living or working with someone who is touchy, moody or easily angered: everyone walks on eggshells around the new manager. It describes a tense, tiring situation, and it usually points to a problem in the relationship rather than ordinary politeness. The common forms are walk on eggshells and walking on eggshells, often followed by around. It is informal to neutral. Walk on eggs is an older, less common form.
Also said: walk on eggs, walking on eggshells.
Examples
- After the argument, the whole family walked on eggshells around my uncle.
- I'm tired of walking on eggshells every time I suggest a change at work.
- Ana felt she had to walk on eggshells with her new roommate.
Where it comes from
The picture is of trying to walk across fragile eggshells without breaking them, which would take slow, nervous steps. Versions about treading on eggs go back several centuries in English, and the eggshell form later became the usual one.
Check yourself
1. What does it mean if staff walk on eggshells around their boss?
Answer: They are very careful not to upset him. Walking on eggshells means acting very cautiously to avoid upsetting someone.
2. Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Answer: Since his grandfather gets angry easily, Sam walks on eggshells during visits.. The idiom means being cautious, so shouting whatever you like does not fit.
Similar idioms
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