to act carefully to avoid creating enemies or a dangerous situation.

The show has always walked a tightrope between old-fashioned humor and modern comedy.

The organization's director must walk a tightrope between various religious groups.

Etymology: from the literal expression walk a tightrope (= to walk on a tightly stretched wire that is high off the ground)

• knock something off
• knock something on the head
• knock something out
• knock something's socks off
• knock spots off
• knock spots off someone
• knock spots off something
• knock the bottom out of
• knock the bottom out of something
• knock the daylights out of
• knock the daylights out of someone
• knock the living daylights out of
• knock the living daylights out of someone
• knock them dead
• knock the stuffing out of
• knock the stuffing out of someone
• knock the tar out of
• knock the tar out of someone
• knock up
• knock wood
• knock yourself out
• knock your socks off
• know-all
• know a thing or two
• know backwards