english
1
general::
to walk quietly
tiptoe
to walk quietly and carefully on your toes because you do not want to make a noise:
• I tiptoed out trying not to wake the baby.
creep
to walk quietly and slowly because you do not want anyone to see or hear you:
• Stella crept up the stairs, hoping not to wake her parents.
sneak
to walk quietly so that no-one notices you, especially because you are doing something you should not do:
• They sneaked off without paying. • I quickly sneaked out to have a cigarette.
pad
to walk quietly without wearing shoes – also used about cats and dogs walking quietly:
• Michelle got up and padded barefoot down to the kitchen. • The cat padded in, asking for her food.
Longman-Thesaurus
2
general::
see ON TIPTOE.
American Heritage Idioms
3
general::
tiptoe round/around sth/sb
informal
to avoid dealing with a difficult subject, problem or person
• Guy keeps tiptoeing round the problem, instead of confronting it.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs