Walking on Eggshells: Origin and Meaning

To try very hard not to offend someone or do anything wrong.

The official origin of this phrase is not known; however, it is thought that it comes from the same place as other similar idioms, such as ‘walking on thin ice’. It is very difficult to speak to someone who gets easily offended without upsetting them – just as difficult as walking on eggshells or on thin ice without breaking them!

“I find it really difficult to speak to Jodie. She is so sensitive – I have to walk on eggshells whenever I’m near her!”

“I crashed my dad’s car last month and since then I’ve been walking on eggshells around him.”

“I was walking on eggshells when I tried to explain the remark to him without offending him further.”