Each week , we explore the meaning of expressions in American English . We often take terms and examine them from head to toe -- looking at each and every detail -- making sure not to overlook anything . Speaking of toes , let's talk about them for a minute . Like the rest of our feet , they spend all day stuck inside socks and shoes . This can't be good for them . So , let's take them out of our shoes , give them a chance to stretch , and talk about how we use them in every-day speech . While listening to this program , you need to stay on your toes . We will give one example after another . So , you'll need to listen closely or you might miss one . Staying or keeping on your toes not only means to pay close attention . It also means to be ready to act . For example , when trying something dangerous , you need to keep on your toes . You want to be ready for anything that may happen . Now , the phrase keeping on your toes is different from tiptoeing around . Your feet are in a similar position . All your weight is on the balls of your feet . But the two expressions have different purposes and meanings . In fact , they are opposites . As we said , when you are on your toes , you are prepared to take action . But when standing on your tiptoes , you are not very balanced . You are either trying to make yourself taller to reach something or you are trying to walk very quietly . So , in American English , to tiptoe around something means to avoid an issue or talking about something in an indirect way . “At the community meeting , city officials tiptoed around the issue of violence in schools for too long . Parents came to the meeting to hear solutions and not evasive language .” Now , toes are important when we walk . They help us keep our balance . But they are good at something else . Imagine a person running up to a lake or the ocean to take a swim . Some brave people might just jump right in . So , they put a toe in the water before jumping in . There are other situations where you should put your toes in the water before jumping right in . Before moving to a new city or perhaps starting a new job , you need to do some serious thinking . When some people start a job , they may want to jump right in . But others move more slowly so as to avoid any unnecessary risk . Unsure about how their abilities measure up in the workplace , they tiptoe around co-workers . Or they are careful to avoid politically divisive or touchy subjects . Working in this way , new employees won't make anyone angry . They won't step on anyone's toes . Now , when you actually step on someone's toes , most people simply apologize and that will be that . But stepping on someone's toes in the idiomatic sense is more serious . It means you have done something on purpose to offend someone else . But stepping on a co-worker's toes is not the worst thing you can do . If you go toe-to-toe with someone – that can be much worse ! Well , actually , that depends . Toe-to-toe has two meanings : to be in direct competition with someone or to fight with someone . So , going toe-to-toe with a co-worker in a friendly , but competitive way is fine . In fact , employees are often expected to compete with one another in the workplace . If you are sure in your abilities , you are not afraid to go toe-to-toe with anyone . However , going toe-to-toe with a co-worker by having a fight or argument with them is not a good idea . The company might fire one or both workers ! At the very least going-toe-to-toe can create a difficult work environment . So , sometimes it's a good idea to toe the line when you start working a new job . Just follow the rules and do your best not to step on anyone's toes . Some native English speakers think this expression starts with the verb “tow ,” meaning to pull . It's not hard to understand why . We often tow things with a line of rope . Word historians have attempted to explain the origin of this expression . Some claim it comes from the sport of boxing . In the boxing ring , fighters are so close to each other that their toes seem to touch . However , the one story that connects most closely with following the rules is from boating . Some people say that in the 19th century , sailors faced punishment if they did not obey shipping rules . Thanks for listening . We hope you found these expressions useful . We avoided using them in stories that might make your toes curl . After all , if you feel uneasy and uncomfortable , you probably won't come back for more .