Walking on eggshells

Meaning

Being overly cautious to avoid upsetting someone.

Usage

Describes tense conversations or relationships.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Evokes the need for careful steps when eggshells could break.

Appears in 19th-century writings and remains common.