What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Tiptoe vs Hobble - What's the difference?

tiptoe | hobble |

As nouns the difference between tiptoe and hobble

is that tiptoe is the tips of one's toes collectively while hobble is short straps tied between the legs of unfenced horses, allowing them to wander short distances but preventing them from running off.

As verbs the difference between tiptoe and hobble

is that tiptoe is to walk quietly with only the tips of the toes touching the ground while hobble is to fetter by tying the legs; to restrict (a horse) with hobbles.

As an adjective tiptoe

is standing elevated, on or as if on the tips of one's toes.

tiptoe

English

(wikipedia tiptoe)

Alternative forms

* tip-toe * tippytoe, tippy-toe

Noun

(en noun)
  • The tips of one's toes collectively.
  • Derived terms

    * on tiptoe

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Standing elevated, on or as if on the tips of one's toes.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Night's candles are burnt out, and jocund day / Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops.
  • * Byron
  • above the tiptoe pinnacle of glory
  • Moving carefully, quietly, warily or stealthily, on or as if on the tips of one's toes.
  • * Cowper
  • with tiptoe step

    Verb

    (d)
  • To walk quietly with only the tips of the toes touching the ground.
  • *, chapter=13
  • , title= Mr. Pratt's Patients , passage=We tiptoed into the house, up the stairs and along the hall into the room where the Professor had been spending so much of his time.}}

    hobble

    English

    Noun

  • (en noun) (usually in plural )
  • Short straps tied between the legs of unfenced horses, allowing them to wander short distances but preventing them from running off.
  • An unsteady, off-balance step.
  • Synonyms

    * tether (rope)

    Verb

  • To fetter by tying the legs; to restrict (a horse) with hobbles.
  • (Charles Dickens)
  • To walk lame, or unevenly.
  • * Dryden
  • The friar was hobbling the same way too.
  • (figurative) To move roughly or irregularly.
  • * Jeffreys
  • The hobbling versification, the mean diction.
  • To perplex; to embarrass.
  • Derived terms

    * hobble skirt * hobbly * unhobble