Meaning: To offend, upset, or interfere with someone, especially by encroaching on their responsibilities, authority, or personal space.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “I don’t want to step on your toes, but I think we should take a different approach to this project.”
- “She felt like her boss stepped on her toes by taking over her presentation without asking.”
- “During the team meeting, he unintentionally stepped on her toes by suggesting changes to her proposal.”
Origin:
The phrase likely originates from the literal act of accidentally stepping on someone’s toes, which can be physically uncomfortable and intrusive. It evolved into a metaphor for causing discomfort or offending someone in non-physical ways.
Tone:
Cautionary, often used to express concern about potentially causing offense or overstepping boundaries.
Synonyms:
- Overstep boundaries
- Offend
- Intrude
- Tread on thin ice (in a broader sense)
