tread carefully
Move with caution
To tread carefully is to proceed with caution, avoiding actions that might cause offense or trouble: You'll want to tread carefully around the boss today—she's in a mood.
The image is of walking gingerly to avoid stepping on something dangerous or fragile.
Often used as advice or warning about sensitive situations.
- watch outWarning to be careful
- proceed with cautionContinue while staying vigilant
- watch your stepWarning about hazards underfoot
- cautiousCareful to avoid risk
- tiptoeWalk on foot-fronts
circumspect · wary · minefield · thin ice · on thin ice · test the waters · prudence · play it safe · err on the side of caution · mindful · heedfulness · walk on eggshells · discretion · deliberate · measured · vigilance · soft · sensitive
tread carefullythrow caution to the wind
Act recklessly, disregarding consequences
rush in · damn the torpedoes · wing it · charge ahead · plunge in
careful, carefully, tread, treading, carefulness, treads, treadle, treaded, treader