Meaning of Idiom ‘Walk on Eggshells’
To walk on eggshells means to behave in a very cautious or careful manner to avoid upsetting someone; to be careful what you do or say around someone because they are quite sensitive, easily angered, or offended; to be careful in handling very serious or volatile matters. 1Heacock, Paul. Cambridge Dictionary of American Idioms]. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2010.,2Collins Cobuild. Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary. HarperCollins, 2007.,3“WALK ON EGGSHELLS / EGGS (Phrase) American English Definition and Synonyms: Macmillan Dictionary.” WALK ON EGGSHELLS / EGGS (Phrase) American English Definition and Synonyms | Macmillan Dictionary, Macmillan Education Limited, www.macmillandictionary.com/us/dictionary/american/walk-on-eggshells-eggs.
Sentence Examples
“I’m tired of walking on eggshells around here. Can we please just talk about it?”
“After the accident, Simpson spent a week walking on eggshells until his boss convinced him that nobody blamed him.”
“You have to walk on eggshells around this stuff. It’s very sensitive.”
“Everyone is walking on eggshells around David because he’s in such a bad mood. He’s been flying off the handle constantly.”
“Look, I don’t mind if your mom visits but I refuse to walk on eggshells the entire weekend because she disapproves of me.”
Examples From Movies and TV
“That’s it. Chin up. Shoulders back. That’s my girl. It’s nice to see David so happy. It’s also really nice to come over here and not feel like I’m walking on eggshells.” — Unforgettable (2017)
“…no one in your family believes in you anymore or trusts you. Or they’re scared you’re going to go attempt again. And they’re always worried. Walking on eggshells when they talk to you.” — The Bridge (2007)
“I don’t know what to do, but I ain’t going home. I’s my poor ma I feel sorry for. Twenty years of walking on eggshells living with that asshole.” — The Wanderers (1979)
“Man, I can’t tell you how much I need this. I have been walking on eggshells since Emmy moved into the house.” — Running Wilde (2010)
Origin
Used since at least the mid-1800s, this idiom alludes to the fact that eggshells are easily broken.
More Idioms Starting with W
- Waste One’s Breath
- Wash Your Hands of (Someone or Something)
- What’s the Damage?
- Work One’s Fingers To the Bone
- Out of Wedlock
More Egg Idioms
More Walk Idioms