to tread lightly
9
5.6
- phrasal verb
- /trɛd ˈlaɪtli/
:
andar con cuidado
- When discussing sensitive topics, it is important to tread lightly to avoid offending anyone.
- tread lightly on the Earth
- need to tread lightly
- tread lightly here
And you know, as always, tread lightly when using the term triggered.
- And you know, as always, tread lightly when using the term triggered.
- So, so there's, there's no secret, you know, but, but it's still, can you just sort of tiptoe around it and tread lightly?
- I mean, it's funny because I'm treading lightly, but I like shouldn't feel like I have to because let's say a a male artist did this and he admitted to doing it.
- And I also, you know, tread lightly with that that time.
- So as you go through these death dangling situations, tread lightly.
Examples
-
Of course, although you may choose to be bold in certain situations, you will want to tread lightly in others.
Blog text (1) -
Given their abysmal track record in public relations over the past half-decade or so, the Mets ought to tread lightly here, lest they risk alienating both their star pitcher and their fan base.
Blog text (3) -
But if you do find something, tread lightly.
-
We have to tread lightly here.
-
Everything I had heard about him warned me to tread lightly.
Fiction book (1990) -
You may continue, Mr. Gary, but I warn you to tread lightly.
-
Due to public opinion, population control advocates have to tread lightly in the Western world.
Blog text (13) -
We just need to tread lightly and precisely when dealing with terrorists.
Blog text (23) -
When discussing minors, even ones as precocious and audacious as this one, we should tread lightly.
Blog text (30) -
In negotiations, we must tread lightly to maintain a positive relationship with our partners.
Synonyms
979
1.0
Take care to avoid danger or getting hurt
168
1.8
To be careful to avoid danger
10
6.7
To be very careful not to upset someone
8
6.0
Move slowly and carefully to avoid mistakes or accidents
6
3.9
Act carefully to avoid mistakes, danger, or upsetting others
To act very carefully in a difficult situation to avoid mistakes or offend people
Antonyms
How Carefully
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase combines the literal senses of 'tread' (to step) and 'lightly' (gently), so a learner can map this to the idea of moving or acting gently and therefore cautiously. However, the pragmatic sense of avoiding offence or mistakes is a metaphorical extension rather than a strictly compositional meaning, so it is not fully predictable without some exposure.
Etymology
Tread lightly comes from the simple image of walking softly: tread means to step and lightly means gently. Imagine stepping on thin ice or a creaky floor and moving quietly so you do not make noise or cause harm. So it means 'to be careful', often to avoid problems or hurt feelings.