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)

• have second thoughts
• have seen better days
• have seen more something than has had hot dinners
• have seen more something than someone has had hot dinners
• have seen more than has had hot dinners
• have seen more than someone has had hot dinners
• have seen the last of
• have seen the last of someone
• have seen the last of something
• have several strings to bow
• have several strings to your bow
• have share of
• have share of something
• have shit for brains
• have sights set on
• have sights set on doing something
• have sights set on something
• have someone by the balls
• have someone by the short and curlies
• have someone dead to rights
• have someone down on like a ton of bricks
• have someone down on you like a ton of bricks
• have someone in corner
• have someone in sights
• have someone in stitches