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Definitions

on one's toes

ADJECTIVE
alert
Synonyms
STRONGEST
active bright careful intelligent observant perceptive sharp vigilant wary watchful wired wise
STRONG
hip jazzed quick ready spirited
WEAK
all ears cagey circumspect clever fast on the draw good hands heads up heedful on guard on the ball on the job on the lookout on the qui vive psyched-up switched on wide-awake with it
Antonyms
STRONGEST
careless dull foolish ignorant inattentive incautious indifferent indiscreet lazy negligent stupid thoughtless unaware unintelligent unobservant
STRONG
slow uneducated
WEAK
asleep drowsy lethargic sluggish weary
ADJECTIVE
attentive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aware conscientious interested observant vigilant watchful
STRONG
heedful
WEAK
alert all ears awake enrapt enthralled fascinated glued hanging on every word hooked immersed intent listening mindful on the ball on the job on the lookout on the qui vive preoccupied regardful studious
Antonyms
STRONGEST
careless inattentive negligent unaware
WEAK
disregarding heedless ignorant inconsiderate neglectful neglecting unattentive
ADJECTIVE
mindful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
apprehensive careful cautious cognizant conscious conversant knowledgeable observant respectful solicitous vigilant wary watchful
WEAK
alert alive to au courant be up on cagey chary conscientious heedful in the know know all the answers know ins and outs knowing observative observing on the ball on the job on to plugged in regardful sensible thoughtful tuned-in with eyes peeled
Antonyms
STRONGEST
careless heedless ignorant inattentive incautious indifferent indiscreet negligent quiet rash thoughtless unafraid unaware uncareful uninformed unmindful unobservant unworried
WEAK
absent-minded
ADJECTIVE
observant
Synonyms
STRONGEST
attentive discerning discriminating intelligent mindful perceptive vigilant
WEAK
advertent alive bright clear-sighted comprehending considering contemplating correct deducing detecting discovering eager eagle-eyed heedful intentive interested keen not missing a trick obedient observative on the ball penetrating questioning quick regardful searching sensitive sharp sharp-eyed surveying understanding wide-awake
Antonyms
STRONGEST
careless heedless inattentive neglectful negligent unaware undiscriminating
WEAK
indifferent thoughtless unmindful unobservant unwatchful
ADJECTIVE
on one's guard
Synonyms
WEAK
alert careful cautious defensive guarded heedful mindful observant on guard on the lookout on the watch upon one's guard vigilant watchful
ADJECTIVE
on the ball
Synonyms
WEAK
active all ears attentive bright cagey careful clever good hands heads up intelligent lively observant on guard on the job on the lookout on the stick perceptive quick ready sharp spirited vigilant watchful wise with it
ADJECTIVE
open-eyed
Synonyms
WEAK
active all ears bright cagey careful circumspect clever fast on the draw good hands heads up heedful hip intelligent jazzed observant on guard on the ball on the job on the lookout on the qui vive perceptive psyched-up quick ready sharp spirited switched on vigilant wakeful wary watchful wide-awake wired wise with it
ADJECTIVE
watchful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
attentive careful cautious observant suspicious vigilant wary
STRONG
alert
WEAK
all ears chary circumspect glued guarded heedful hooked keen not missing a trick on guard on the ball on the job on the qui vive on the watch open-eyed prepared ready see after see to unsleeping wakeful wide-awake with eyes peeled
Antonyms
STRONGEST
careless heedless inattentive incautious indiscreet rash thoughtless uncareful unobservant
WEAK
negligent
ADJECTIVE
wide-awake
Synonyms
WEAK
active alert all ears attentive bright bright-eyed and bushy-tailed fast on the draw heads up intelligent lively on guard on the ball on the job on the lookout psyched-up quick ready sharp spirited vigilant watchful wide-eyed wired
ADVERB
on guard
Synonyms
WEAK
alert careful cautious defensive guarded heedful mindful observant on one's guard on the lookout on the watch vigilant wary watchful
ADVERB
on the ball
Synonyms
WEAK
alert alive attentive awake on the job on top of ready sharp vital wide-awake with it

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Figure 9.43 The muscles in the back of the leg pull the Achilles tendon when one stands on one's toes.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

He tells a vivid story, creates characters as credible as if they were stepping on one's toes, and uses the English language with beauty and wit.

From Time Magazine Archive

The military men said that during a heavy explosion it was best to stand on one's toes with the mouth open.

From Time Magazine Archive

Charterers have a trick of treading on one's toes occasionally, and I don't think I should take kindly to business as it appears to be carried on in the neighboring city.

From Thrice Armed by Bindloss, Harold

Ah I daresay it's extremely fine, but I don't care for tragedy when it treads on one's toes.

From The Tragic Muse by James, Henry