Keep You on Your Toes

Welcome to English in a Minute!

We have already learned the expression “tiptoe around something,” which means to avoid directly expressing something .

“Keep you on your toes”

Does this idiom have a similar meaning?

How do you like your new Arabic class?

Oh, it’s tough ! The teacher gives us so many unexpected tests

Wow , your class sounds tough !

Yeah but it keeps you on your toes . You have to be prepared for each and every class.

if something “keeps you on your toes ,” it keeps you alert , aware and ready to act.

A person can begin to run or jump more quickly and easily if their weight is on their toes.

That is where this expression comes from.

And that’s English in a Minute !