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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Keep someone on their toes

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

To make someone stay alert, attentive and ready to respond.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. The varied questions keep the tutor on her toes.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

To make someone stay alert, attentive and ready to respond.
Show the answer

Keep someone on their toes — To make someone stay alert, attentive and ready to respond.

Try your own sentence (optional)

Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Keep someone on their toes” about your own life.

Check your sentence

Does your sentence match this meaning?

To make someone stay alert, attentive and ready to respond.

Compare: The varied questions keep the tutor on her toes.

Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.

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More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use it conversationally for a challenge or changing situation that requires concentration. It can describe a stimulating experience as well as a demanding one.

More examples in context

  • Working at a busy reception desk keeps me on my toes.
  • The team’s changing requests kept the organiser on his toes all afternoon.

Usage note

Put the person between keep and on: “keep me on my toes.” Match the possessive to the person. No actual balancing on toes is required.

A short conversation

A: Do you enjoy leading the discussion group?
B: Yes. Their unexpected questions keep me on my toes.
A: It sounds lively.

One more practice question

Which task keeps someone on their toes?

A. A task that can be ignored completely without any consequence.
B. A changing task that requires constant attention and quick responses.

Check your answer

B. The person must remain alert and engaged.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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