Meaning of a-tiptoe | Babel Free

Definitions

Adverb. [B2]

Examples

“Our impatient friend scrambled, with some difficulty, on the top of the bench intended for his seat; and there, "paining himself to stand⟳ a-tiptoe," like⟳ [Geoffrey] Chaucer's gallant Sir Chaunticlere, he challenged the notice⟳ of the audience as he stood bowing and claiming acquaintance of his namesake, Sir Geoffrey the larger, with whose shoulders, notwithstanding his elevated situation, he was scarcely yet upon a level.”

“Consider⟳ therefore if, on this Wednesday morning, there is an affluence of Patriotism; if Paris stands a-tiptoe, and all Deputies are at their post⟳! […] Meanwhile expectant Patriotism and Paris standing a-tiptoe, have⟳ need⟳ of patience.”

“[P]eople on the floor of the court, laid their hands on the shoulders of the people before them, to help⟳ themselves, at anybody's cost⟳, to a view⟳ of him—stood a-tiptoe, got upon ledges, stood upon next to nothing, to see⟳ every inch of him.”

“Moving a-tiptoe, silent as the elves, / As mischievous too, trip⟳ three bare-footed girls / Not yet opened to womanhood— […]”

CEFR level