walking on eggshells

To be extra-careful when speaking to someone, in order not to make them angry.

I 'm walking on eggshells as I ask my neighbor to keep his dog from barking

by LuizLeitao December 16, 2017

walking on eggshells

To watch what you say or do around a certain person because anything might set him or her off.

Everyone hates me; I'm walking on eggshells all the time.

by someone March 9, 2005

walking on eggshells

To be in a delicate situation; to be on the edge of danger or ruin.

An 'eggshell' is the thin, white outer coating of an egg. The shell is very thin and breaks easily. So if you are 'walking on eggshells' you are in a situation where you could break something (or get in trouble or ruin everything) very easily.

Synonym: walking on thin ice

1) Ever since I smashed their car, I've been walking on eggshells with my parents.

2) We're walking on eggshells with our landlord -- she told us that if we have one more loud party, she's going to kick us out of our apartment.

by VAKI5 May 11, 2005