tread lightly
idiom
: to proceed carefully
If you're thinking about asking for a raise, I advise you to tread lightly.
Examples of tread lightly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But given the ailing state of the national economy and persistent elite worries about domestic discontent, Putin’s government is liable to tread lightly.
—
Ilan Berman, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Plan ahead, tread lightly and (most importantly), look up!
—Jp Shaffer, Charlotte Observer, 11 Aug. 2025
Still, the need to tread lightly, or at least be aware of the risks to touting the benefits, remains, says Conley.
—Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 30 July 2025
Nevertheless, the conspiracists and media should tread lightly and keep in mind that some absurd or improbable theories can cause harm to others.
—Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tread lightly
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Ilan Berman, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Plan ahead, tread lightly and (most importantly), look up!
—Jp Shaffer, Charlotte Observer, 11 Aug. 2025
Still, the need to tread lightly, or at least be aware of the risks to touting the benefits, remains, says Conley.
—Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 30 July 2025
Nevertheless, the conspiracists and media should tread lightly and keep in mind that some absurd or improbable theories can cause harm to others.
—Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tread lightly
Cite this Entry
“Tread lightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tread%20lightly. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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