I feel like I am walking on eggshells around him.
walk on eggshells
idiomTo be overly careful in dealing with a person or situation because they get angry or offended very easily; to try very hard not to upset someone or something.
Origin
disputed origin1800s usage, probably from the imagery that eggshells are easily broken when stepped upon.
Because my boss is in a bad mood today, everyone in the office is walking on eggshells.
Living with a partner whose temper is so unpredictable forces you to walk on eggshells constantly, leaving you exhausted by the effort of avoiding conflict.
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ball and Chalk
[Cockney slang]walk
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cake walk
Something extremely easy.
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cock of the walk
A proud or conceited person.
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crawl before one walks
To learn the basics before doing something at a more advanced level.
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in a walk
Easily; without difficulty.
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learn to walk before one can run
Before one can perform a complicated task, one has to learn how to perform more simple tasks.
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perp walk
The intentional public display before news cameras of a person in police custody, especially someone famous or notorious, for the purpose of satisfying public interest, demonstrating the effectiveness of the authorities, or shaming the person.
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take a long walk on a short pier
Used to tell someone to go away, or that their request will not be met.
Last updated April 17, 2026