on a knife-edge

Very anxious or worried about a difficult or stressful situation. I am on a knife-edge right now, waiting to hear if my contract has been extended—if not, I'll need to find a new job. Our grandmother is very ill, so we are all on a knife-edge these days.

See also: on

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

on a knife-edge

mainly BRITISH

COMMON If someone or something is on a knife-edge, they are in a situation in which nobody knows whether something good or something bad is going to happen next. No further incidents have been reported today, but this remains a town on the knife-edge of conflict. With recovery poised on a knife-edge the country needs a leader with vision and stature. Note: You can also say that someone walks a knife-edge. The company could fail at any moment. They're walking a knife-edge. Note: You can also use knife-edge before a noun. The government faces a knife-edge vote on its plans for the coal industry.

See also: on

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

on a knife-edge (or razor's edge)

in a tense situation, especially one finely balanced between success and failure.

2000 South African Times UK With the game poised on a knife-edge, the Wallabies won a ruck and George Gregan's pass was floated to the flyhalf, who picked his line perfectly.

See also: on

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

on a ˈknife-edge

(also on a ˈrazor’s edge) in a very dangerous or difficult situation where there is a risk of something terrible happening: He was balanced on a knife-edge between life and death. The future of this company is on a razor’s edge.

See also: on

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

See also:

knife-edge
keep a cool head
keep a level head
be under the cosh
cosh
on the rack
hairy situation
breathe easy
not be somebody's day
be not (one's) day

References in periodicals archive

Bookmakers offer 10-11 about each side qualifying, both managers are wary of sounding over-confident in pre-match press conferences and commentators are obliged to use the phrase: "It's on a knife-edge!" It's fair to say that tonight's Arsenal-Milan tie isn't balanced on a knife-edge.

Emirates leg is definitely on a pan-base; PICK OF THE DAY

词组	on a knife-edge
释义	on a knife-edge on a knife-edge Very anxious or worried about a difficult or stressful situation. I am on a knife-edge right now, waiting to hear if my contract has been extended—if not, I'll need to find a new job. Our grandmother is very ill, so we are all on a knife-edge these days. See also: on Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. on a knife-edge mainly BRITISH COMMON If someone or something is on a knife-edge, they are in a situation in which nobody knows whether something good or something bad is going to happen next. No further incidents have been reported today, but this remains a town on the knife-edge of conflict. With recovery poised on a knife-edge the country needs a leader with vision and stature. Note: You can also say that someone walks a knife-edge. The company could fail at any moment. They're walking a knife-edge. Note: You can also use knife-edge before a noun. The government faces a knife-edge vote on its plans for the coal industry. See also: on Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. on a knife-edge (or razor's edge) in a tense situation, especially one finely balanced between success and failure. 2000 South African Times UK With the game poised on a knife-edge, the Wallabies won a ruck and George Gregan's pass was floated to the flyhalf, who picked his line perfectly. See also: on Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary on a ˈknife-edge (also on a ˈrazor’s edge) in a very dangerous or difficult situation where there is a risk of something terrible happening: He was balanced on a knife-edge between life and death. The future of this company is on a razor’s edge. See also: on Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary See also: knife-edge keep a cool head keep a level head be under the cosh cosh on the rack hairy situation breathe easy not be somebody's day be not (one's) day References in periodicals archive Bookmakers offer 10-11 about each side qualifying, both managers are wary of sounding over-confident in pre-match press conferences and commentators are obliged to use the phrase: "It's on a knife-edge!" It's fair to say that tonight's Arsenal-Milan tie isn't balanced on a knife-edge. Emirates leg is definitely on a pan-base; PICK OF THE DAY
随便看	friend of Bill W. friend or foe Friendsgiving friendship friendship with benefits friend(s) in court friends in high places friends with friends with (someone) friend with benefits friend zone fries frig frigging fright frighten frighten away frightened of (one's) (own) shadow frightened to death frighteners frighten into frighten into doing frighten off frighten (one) in frighten (one) into (something)