comes from?
2006-12-04 00:41:28 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
I always thought it was from the beginning of a foot race when you put your feet on the starting line and you are very alert and eager to go.
Some (Word Detective and World Wide Words) think it is nautical, as a reference to a line drawn on a ship's deck or a parade ground which new recruits must "toe" as they assemble in eager formation and anticipation.
2006-12-04 00:56:38 · answer #1 · answered by Agustin-Jean F 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To keep someone on their toes is an expression meaning to keep them in state of anticipation/attention/alterness.
The title was chosen because it has a double meaning. There is the meaning of the expression (which I just explained) and there is the literal meaning, which is the fact that the people/kids will not have chairs so they will be standing, literally on their toes.
2006-12-04 00:50:08 · answer #2 · answered by uk_duggy_uk 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would say boxing. When A boxer is "On his Toes" he is prepared to fight an able to move about quickly, as opposed to being "Caught Back on his Heels" or unprepared.
2006-12-04 00:49:18 · answer #3 · answered by Vernix Lanugo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, but the saying Rule of Thumb comes from the early 1900 when a man could beat a woman as long as he didn't use a stick larger than the size of his thumb!
2006-12-04 00:43:39 · answer #4 · answered by Jon C 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Boxing???
2006-12-04 00:42:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋