treads lightly
Steps with caution
To tread lightly is to proceed with caution or delicacy, avoiding offense or disruption.
Someone treads lightly around a sensitive topic, a volatile person, or a fragile situation: You'd better tread lightly with her—she's still upset about the promotion.
The phrase evokes careful footsteps that leave no trace and make no sound.
- glidesMoves smoothly, frictionlessly
- tiptoesWalks on foot-fronts
- creepsUnsettling individuals
- soft touchEasily persuaded person
- recyclesProcesses waste for reuse
sidesteps · footsteps · walks on eggshells · thin ice · cautious · careful · eggshells · wary · kid gloves · gentle · tactful · easy does it · mindful · delicate