Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To tiptoe: To walk or stand on the balls of one's feet and toes, with the heels raised off the ground, typically to move quietly, carefully, or to reach something higher.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Cô bé nhón chân để lấy cuốn sách trên giá cao. (The little girl tiptoed to get the book on the high shelf.)
  • Anh ấy nhón chân bước ra khỏi phòng để không đánh thức ai. (He tiptoed out of the room so as not to wake anyone.)
  • Tôi phải nhón chân mới nhìn thấy được qua cửa sổ. (I had to stand on tiptoe to see through the window.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase can imply a temporary, delicate, or cautious action. It often describes a physical effort to minimize noise or to extend one's height momentarily.

Variants and Related Words

• Đi nhón chân: A more explicit phrase for "to walk on tiptoe."
  • Đứa trẻ đi nhón chân trong bếp. (The child walked on tiptoe in the kitchen.)

Synonyms

• To tiptoe: To walk quietly on one's toes.
• To stand on tiptoe: To raise oneself up on the balls of the feet.

Related Idioms

• While "nhón chân" itself is a descriptive phrase, it can be used figuratively to suggest acting with extreme caution or delicacy in a situation.
  • Họ phải nhón chân trong cuộc đàm phán đầy căng thẳng. (They had to tread very carefully in the tense negotiations.)