walk on eggshells
English
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walk on eggshells
- /ˌwɔːk ɒn ˈɛɡʃɛlz/ UK
- /ˌwɔk ɑn ˈɛɡʃɛlz/ US
- /ˌwɑk-/ US
- /-ɔn-/ US
Where it comes from
1800s usage, probably from the imagery that eggshells are easily broken when stepped upon.
verb walks on eggshells · walking on eggshells · walked on eggshells
- To be overly careful in dealing with a person or situation because they get angry or offended very easily; to try very hard not to upset someone or something.
- To be careful and sensitive, in handling very sensitive matters.
Translations
Every language
verb to act carefully to avoid upsetting someone
| Español | andar entre algodones, proceder entre algodones |
|---|---|
| 中文 | 伴君如伴虎 bàn jūn rú bàn hǔ, 謹慎行事, 谨慎行事 jǐnshèn xíngshì |
| Português | pisar em ovos |
| Français | marcher sur des œufs, prendre des pincettes |
| Deutsch | einen Eiertanz vollführen |
| Italiano | camminare sulle uova, andare coi piedi di piombo |
| Русский | ходи́ть на цы́почках xodítʹ na cýpočkax, ходи́ть на цы́рлах xodítʹ na cýrlax, ходи́ть по яи́чной скорлупе́ xodítʹ po jaíčnoj skorlupé, ходи́ть по я́йцам xodítʹ po jájcam |
| עברית | הלך על ביצים |
verb to handle sensitive matters delicately
| Español | andar entre algodones, proceder entre algodones |
|---|---|
| 中文 | 如履薄冰 rú lǚ bó bīng |
| Português | pisar em ovos |
| Français | prendre des pincettes, prendre des gants, mettre des gants |
| Deutsch | wie ein rohes Ei behandeln |
| Русский | ходи́ть на цы́почках xodítʹ na cýpočkax, ходи́ть по я́йцам xodítʹ po jájcam |
Talk about this word "walk on eggshells." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/walk%20on%20eggshells. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026. walk on eggshells. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 7, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/walk%20on%20eggshells "walk on eggshells." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 7, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/walk%20on%20eggshells.Cite this
@misc{walk_on_eggshells_2026,
title = {walk on eggshells},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/walk%20on%20eggshells},
urldate = {2026-11-07}
}
