hang on by a thread

hang on by a thread

To be perilously close to failing, dying, or resulting in a bad outcome. After the loss, their chances of getting into the championships are hanging on by a thread. Her life hung on by a thread as medics rushed her to the hospital.
See also: by, hang, on, thread
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • hang in the balance
  • die to
  • dying to (do something)
  • dying to do
  • left
  • dying to know
  • dying to know (something)
  • stand in (someone's or something's) way
  • not long for this world
  • a quick drop and a sudden stop