Modul 4: Idiom 10: Walking on Eggshells
Video 01
Walking on Eggshells
Hi. Let’s take a look at the Idiom, ‘Walking on Eggshells.’ What does this mean? When somebody is ‘Walking on Eggshells’, they are being careful about what they say or do around a particular person or situation. This is usually because that particular person or situation is tense or feeling sad and you don’t want to make things worse.
So what is the origin of this idiom?
This idiom dates back to the 1800s. It isn’t clear when exactly but we do know that the origin is purely descriptive: imagine how hard it would be to walk carefully over eggshells. There would be a mess because eggshells are easily broken. So if someone warns you to walk on eggshells, they are telling you to be extremely cautious.
Take a look at our illustration.
There are eggshells all over the floor and a man is attempting – trying – to walk over them. Can you see the way he is walking though? He is sneaking across. We sneak when we don’t want to make a noise, don’t we? When we sneak, we are careful and tread lightly. This is what the man is trying to do. Look at the worried look on his face. Unfortunately, it isn’t working because the eggshells are cracking underneath him.
Here are some examples before we go to the concept questions…
“Jerry found himself walking on eggshells when telling his wife that he forgot to buy her a birthday present.”
“Everybody is walking on eggshells around me and it is so annoying!”
“Kate is getting married tomorrow but there is still so much to do! Everyone is walking on eggshells around her.”
“If you want to speak to Jack today, I’d walk on eggshells. His cat has just died.”
“Grandma is coming round today. You don’t need to walk on eggshells but just don’t say anything stupid around her!”
Great.
Let’s look at some situations and check your understanding:
- Your sister’s boyfriend has just broken up with her and she is really sad about this. She can’t do anything without crying. She just stays in her bedroom sobbing all day long. You, however, have just started going out with someone. This person is beautiful, funny and intelligent. You are really excited to tell the whole family about them. Would you be walking on eggshells by joyfully telling the news to everyone, including your sister? No. It would be insensitive to tell her because she is heartbroken.
- James’ parents are having trouble with him. Ever since James became a teenager, he’s been so stroppy! Anytime they ask him to do something like clean his room, he complains about it and says, “it’s not fair.” There is so much tension at home because of this. Who is walking on eggshells in this situation? James or his parents?
His parents are because anything they say causes James to get angry and shout.
- Tomorrow I am seeing my friend because it is the one year anniversary of his dad’s death. We are really good friends and he is always there for me when I am feeling low. Do you think I will be walking on eggshells?
Yes. I will have to be careful with what I say because it will be a sensitive time for him.
- Jenny’s mum runs a small business that makes handmade soaps and candles. She has been doing this for five years but it hasn’t earned her much money. She was going to give up the business until a businessman approached her and asked if she’d be interested in selling them in high-end boutique stores. The kind of stores that rich people shop in. She is having a meeting with the boutique shop owners this afternoon and she has been practising her pitch all day – her presentation. Jenny’s mum is very stressed and nervous. If Jenny started asking her mum about when she would be making Jenny’s dinner and when she would be ironing Jenny clothes, do you think that would be a good way of walking on eggshells? No. Jenny should be letting her mum practise her speech and offering to do the chores – her jobs – for her.
- My kitchen flooded this morning. There is water everywhere! My dad was supposed to be going to play golf with his friends but instead, he has to fix the flood. Would I walk on eggshells if I kept asking him if he could hurry up because I was hungry and wanted to use the kitchen to cook?
No, that would increase the tension. It would be helpful to my dad if I offered to help.
Great. Now go and practise. See you soon.