Definition

1. Noun:

   • One of the digits of the foot: Any of the five separate parts at the end of the human foot.
   • The forepart of a hoof: The front part of the hoof of a horse or similar animal.
   • The part of footwear that provides a covering for the toes: The front section of a shoe, sock, or boot.
   • (Golf) The part of a clubhead farthest from the shaft: The outer edge of the head of a golf club.

2. Verb:

   • To touch, reach, or kick with the toe: To make contact using the toes.
   • To drive or hit (a golf ball) with the toe of the club: To strike a golf ball with the outer edge of the clubhead.
   • To drive obliquely: To propel something at an angle.
   • To walk so that the toes assume an indicated position or direction: To walk with the feet pointing in a specific way.
   • To fasten or secure with a nail driven at an angle: In carpentry, to nail something diagonally.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • She stubbed her big toe on the table leg.
  • The horse's toe was injured.
  • There's a hole in the toe of my sock.
  • He hit the ball with the toe of his driver.

• Verb:

  • The dancer can toe the line with incredible precision.
  • He accidentally toed the golf ball, sending it off course.
  • The carpenter will toe the board to the frame.
  • Some people naturally toe in when they walk.

Advanced Usage

• "to toe the line": To conform to rules or standards; to obey authority.
  • All employees must toe the company line regarding social media policy.
• "to toe in" / "to toe out": To walk with the feet pointing inward (pigeon-toed) or outward.
  • The child's shoes are worn because he toes out.

Variants and Related Words

• Toed (adj): Having toes of a specified kind or number (e.g., ).
• Toeless (adj): Without toes; lacking a covering for the toes (e.g., ).
• Toehold (n): A small foothold; a slight or initial advantage.
• Toenail (n): The hard covering on the upper surface of the tip of a toe.

Synonyms

• Noun: Digit, phalange (technical).
• Verb: Nudge, kick, tap.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Toe off: To push oneself forward using the toes, especially at the start of a race or jump.
  • The sprinter toed off from the starting blocks.
• Toe up: (Slang) To be damaged or broken, often referring to shoes.
  • My old sneakers are completely toed up.

Related Idioms

• On one's toes: Alert and ready for action.
  • The constant quizzes keep the students on their toes.
• Step/tread on someone's toes: To offend someone by encroaching on their area of responsibility.
  • I don't want to step on your toes by making decisions for your department.
• From head/top to toe: Completely; all over one's body.
  • She was dressed in black from head to toe.

Verb

1. touch with the toe
2. drive (a golf ball) with the toe of the club
3. hit (a golf ball) with the toe of the club
4. drive obliquely
   • toe a nail
5. walk so that the toes assume an indicated position or direction
   • She toes inwards

Noun

1. (golf) the part of a clubhead farthest from the shaft
2. forepart of a hoof
3. the part of footwear that provides a covering for the toes
4. one of the digits of the foot