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walk on eggs

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walk on eggs

 and walk on thin ice

Fig. to proceed very cautiously; to be in a very precarious position. (Fig. on the image of someone walking on something that offers little support and may collapse at any moment.) I have to remember that I'm walking on eggs when I give this speech. Careful with radical ideas like that. You're walking on thin ice.

See also: egg, on, walk

walk on eggs

Proceed very cautiously, as in I knew I was walking on eggs when I asked about the department's involvement in the lawsuit . This metaphoric idiom transfers walking on fragile eggs to discussing or investigating a dangerous subject. [First half of 1700s]

See also: egg, on, walk

walk on eggs

and walk on thin ice

in. to walk very cautiously; to be in a very precarious position. I have to remember that I’m walking on eggs when I give this speech. You’re walking on thin ice when you criticize a member of that group.

See also: egg, on, walk