skate on thin ice Definition

skate¹
noun

1. A boot with a device fitted to the sole for gliding smoothly over surfaces, either a steel blade for use on ice (ice skate) or a set of small wheels for use on wooden and other surfaces (roller skate).
2. The blade of an ice-skate.
3. A spell of skating.

verb

intr
skated, skating
1. To move around on skates.

Thesaurus: slide, glide, skim, skid, slip, race; rollerskate, rollerblade, blade (US slang).

Derivative: skater
noun

Derivative: skating
noun

Moving on skates.

Idiom: get one's skates on

colloq
To hurry up
Example: Come on, get your skates on or we'll be late!

Idiom: skate on thin ice

To risk danger, harm or embarrassment, especially through lack of care or good judgement.

Etymology: 17c: from Dutch schaats, from French eschasse stilt, from German schake shank.

Phrasal Verb: skate over something

To hurry or rush over it.
Example: We'll skate over this next chapter

Phrasal Verb: skate round something

To avoid dealing with something or considering (a difficulty, etc).