Meanings
present singular third person dips one's toe in · participle present dipping one's toe in · participle past dipped one's toe in · past dipped one's toe in · alternative dip one's toe into · alternative dip one's toes in · alternative dip one's toes into · alternative dip a toe in · alternative dip a toe into
- figurativelyidiomaticTo explore or begin; to enter or get involved in tentatively and for the first time.
Given how many other politicians, from Ed Miliband to Bill Clinton, have dipped their toes into the world of podcasting, it’s perhaps inevitable that Barack and Michelle Obama are entering the field too.
2019 June 14, Gwilym Mumford, Hannah Verdier, Max Sanderson, Josh Toussaint-Strauss, “A gripping, intimate account of the moon landing – podcasts of the week”, in The Guardian1 more example
The Happy Gnome, on Selby Av. in St. Paul, became a place to dip one's toe in the burgeoning beer world. With a focus on domestic craft and quality import beers, this cozy bar was a welcome home to curious beer lovers.
2019 December 17, Hannah Sayle, “Beloved St. Paul craft beer bar Happy Gnome is closing”, in Star Tribune, archived from the original on 19 Feb 2020
Translations
Greek παίρνω το βάπτισμα του πυρός
- παίρνω το βάπτισμα του πυρός (paírno to váptisma tou pyrós)begin to explore, get involved
Portuguese dar os primeiros passos, pegar a manha
- dar os primeiros passosbegin to explore, get involved
- pegar a manhabegin to explore, get involved
Cite this entry
dip one's toe in. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dip%20one's%20toe%20in
“dip one's toe in.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dip%20one's%20toe%20in. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “dip one's toe in,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dip%20one's%20toe%20in.
Source: dip one's toe in on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.