a-tiptoe

Adverb

atiptoe (not comparable)

1. On tiptoe; on the tips of one's toes in order to move quietly or to stand taller.
   • [T]he gate of going of Fortune ſeems quick and faſt, her ſpirit great, and courage proud, her hopes high and haughty: ſhe over-goeth Vertue, and approacheth neer at hand already; not mounting and lifting up her ſelfe now with her light and flight wings, not ſtanding a tiptoe upon a round ball or...1657, Plutarch, “Of the Romans Fortune”, in Philemon Holland, transl., The Philosophy, Commonly Called, The Morals […], revised edition, London: […] S[arah] G[riffin] for J. Kirton, […], →OCLC, page...

   Synonyms:

   en pointe, tiptoeingly

2. (figuratively) Quietly, and little by little.
   • Don't you ſee that Moor who comes a tiptoe creeping and ſtealing along with his finger in his mouth behind Meliſandra? Hear what a ſmack he gives on her ſweet lips, and ſee how ſhe ſpits and wipes her mouth with her white ſmock-ſleeve!1749, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, “A Pleasant Account of the Puppet-play, with Other Very Good Things Truly”, in [Peter Anthony] Motteux, transl., edited by [John] Ozell, The History of the...
3. (figuratively) Without retreating from adversity, confrontation, or danger; standing tall; bravely, proudly, unyieldingly.
   • This day is called the day of Cryſpin, / He that outliues this day, and ſees old age, / Shall ſtand a tiptoe vvhen this day is named, / And rovvſe him at the name of Cryſpin.1599 (date written), [William Shakespeare], The Cronicle History of Henry the Fift, […] (First Quarto), London: […] Thomas Creede, for Tho[mas] Millington, and Iohn Busby […], published 1600, →OCLC...
4. (figuratively) In a state of anticipation; keenly awaiting.
   • Consider therefore if, on this Wednesday morning, there is an affluence of Patriotism; if Paris stands a-tiptoe, and all Deputies are at their post! […] Meanwhile expectant Patriotism and Paris standing a-tiptoe, have need of patience.1837, Thomas Carlyle, “The Three Votings”, in The French Revolution: A History […], volume III (The Guillotine), London: James Fraser, […], →OCLC, book II (The Paper Age), page 141

See all 6 meanings of atiptoe