tread on someone's toes

noun

1. 1. any of the five jointed parts at the front of the human foot; digit
   2. the forepart of the human foot
   3. the part of a shoe, sock, etc. that covers the toes
2. any of the digits of an animal's foot, or the forepart of a hoof, etc.
3. anything suggesting a toe in location, shape, or function; specif.,
   1. a pivot or journal extending vertically in a bearing
   2. a projecting arm raised or moved by a cam

Origin: ME to < OE ta, earlier tahe, akin to Ger zehe < IE base *dei-, to show > teach, L dicere, to say, digitus

transitive verb toed, toeing

1. to provide with a toe or toes
2. to touch, kick, etc. with the toes: to toe a starting line
3. Carpentry
   1. to drive (a nail) slantingly
   2. to clinch or fasten with nails driven slantingly; toenail

intransitive verb