TREAD ON

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does tread on mean? 

• TREAD ON (verb)
  The verb TREAD ON has 1 sense:

1. place or press the foot on

  Familiarity information: TREAD ON used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• TREAD ON (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Place or press the foot on

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

step on; tread on

Context example:

He stepped on the hem of her long gown

Hypernyms (to "tread on" is one way to...):

step; tread (put down or press the foot, place the foot)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

 Context examples 

In a place like this I'm sure to upset something, tread on people's toes, or do something dreadful, so I keep out of mischief and let Meg sail about.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Chanticleer observing that they were but thin fellows, and not likely to take up much room, told them they might ride, but made them promise not to dirty the wheels of the carriage in getting in, nor to tread on Partlet’s toes.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

It will be a fearful ordeal—be not deceived in that—but it will be only a short time, and you will then rejoice more than your pain was great; from this grim tomb you will emerge as though you tread on air.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Again: because it is a general complaint, that the favourites of princes are troubled with short and weak memories; the same doctor proposed, that whoever attended a first minister, after having told his business, with the utmost brevity and in the plainest words, should, at his departure, give the said minister a tweak by the nose, or a kick in the belly, or tread on his corns, or lug him thrice by both ears, or run a pin into his breech; or pinch his arm black and blue, to prevent forgetfulness; and at every levee day, repeat the same operation, till the business were done, or absolutely refused.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)