tread on (someone's) toes



tread on (someone's) toes

To insult, offend, or upset someone, especially by involving oneself in that which is someone else's responsibility. I want to help Johnny out on his project, but I know he's very proud, and I don't want to tread on his toes in any way. Look, you're going to have to tread on a few peoples' toes if you want to get ahead in this business.
See also: on, toe, tread

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Efrosynief-ro-SEE-neeGreek
NedjeljkaNED-ye-lykoCroatian
Anastasiy-Russian (Archaic), Bulgarian (Archaic)
AldÉRic-French
JuditYOO-deet (Hungarian)Hungarian, Spanish, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish
Saniyya-Arabic