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Phrase(s): step on someone’s toes [and] tread on someone’s toes
1. Lit. to step down onto someone’s toes, causing pain. • Please don’t step on my toes as you walk by. 2. Fig. to offend or insult someone, as if causing physical pain. • You’re sure I won’t be stepping on her toes if I talk directly to her supervisor? • I didn’t mean to tread on your toes.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs