PhrasesHub

on his toes

    Definitions

      • alert and prepared
        Being ready and attentive to respond quickly to any situation

      • under pressure
        Feeling stressed or pressured to perform well or meet high expectations

    Examples of on his toes

    • The interviewee was on his toes, answering each question with confidence and clarity.

      This example is using the idiom to describe a person who is fully prepared and alert during an interview situation. It means that the interviewee is actively listening and responding quickly and accurately to each question, indicating that they are confident and well-prepared for the interview.

    • John was on his toes during the team meeting, taking careful note of each point and contributing thoughtful insights in response.

      This example is using the idiom to describe a person who is actively engaged and attentive during a team meeting. It means that John is listening carefully, processing the information being presented, and responding in a thoughtful and valuable way to contribute to the discussion.

    • The sales manager kept his team on their toes with a series of challenging but achievable sales goals.

      This example is using the idiom to describe a manager who is setting high expectations for his sales team. It means that the manager is pushing his team to perform at a high level, challenging them to meet or exceed goals, and encouraging them to be vigilant and alert in their approach to sales.

    • The chess player was on his toes, anticipating his opponent's moves and responding in kind with a series of strategic countermoves.

      This example is using the idiom to describe a chess player who is fully engaged and alert during a game. It means that the player is actively anticipating his opponent's moves and responding quickly and strategically in return, demonstrating a high level of focus and concentration throughout the game.

    • The competitor was on his toes throughout the entire match, quickly returning all of the opponent's serves and moves.

      This idiom, 'on his toes', refers to being alert and ready for anything that may happen. In the context of the example, the competitor's opponent may have made sudden or unexpected moves, and the competitor was prepared to respond quickly and effectively, staying on his toes throughout the match.

    • The negotiator was on his toes, thinking quickly and cleverly to come up with solutions that satisfied both parties.

      This idiom, 'on his toes', can also refer to being mentally prepared and alert. In the context of the example, the negotiator was required to think on his feet and come up with creative solutions to complex problems in order to satisfy both parties involved in the negotiation.

    • The chefs were on their toes as they rushed around the kitchen, preparing the dishes with precision and speed.

      This idiom, 'on their toes', can also be used in the context of being busy and active, as in the example where the chefs were working quickly and efficiently to prepare the dishes for their customers.

    • The salesman was on his toes, sensing that the customer was hesitant and coming up with persuasive arguments to close the sale.

      This idiom, 'on his toes', can also refer to being perceptive and aware of one's surroundings. In the context of the example, the salesman was able to sense the customer's hesitation and respond with convincing arguments to close the sale.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "on his toes" can refer to being alert and prepared, ready to respond quickly to any situation. It can also mean feeling pressure to perform well or meet high expectations. In both cases, it implies being in a state of heightened awareness and readiness.

    Origin of "on his toes"

    The origin of the idiom "on his toes" can be traced back to the physical act of standing on one's toes. When someone is on their toes, they are physically poised and balanced, ready to move quickly. This physical stance has been metaphorically applied to a mental and emotional state of being alert and prepared.

    The idiom may have originated from the world of dance, where dancers often have to stand on their toes to perform certain moves. This physical agility and balance required in dance could have inspired the metaphorical use of being on one's toes to mean being mentally sharp and ready to act. Over time, the idiom has evolved to encompass a broader sense of being alert and under pressure in various situations, not just in the context of dance.