skating on thin ice

skating on thin ice

Engaged in some activity or behavior that is very risky, dangerous, or likely to cause a lot of trouble. I hope you realize that you'll be skating on thin ice if you decide to gamble your employees' retirement funds on such a dodgy investment. Honestly, I wouldn't even mention the new woman in work, or you could find yourself skating on thin ice with your wife.
See also: ice, on, skate, thin
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

skate on thin ice

Fig. to be in a risky situation. (Fig. on the image of someone taking the risk of ice skating on thin ice.) I try to stay well informed so I don't end up skating on thin ice when the teacher asks me a question. You are skating on thin ice when you ask me that!
See also: ice, on, skate, thin
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • be skating on thin ice
  • be skating/walking on thin ice
  • be (walking) on thin ice
  • If you play with fire, you get burned
  • If you play with fire, you get burnt
  • err on the side of caution
  • all (one's) life is worth
  • dance on the razor's edge
  • all (one's) life's worth
  • between the hammer and the anvil
References in periodicals archive
O'Grady added: "The government is skating on thin ice by relying on household debt to drive growth.
The sixth volume in an outstanding graphic novel series by the team of Cauvin and Laudec, "Skating on Thin ice" is consistently laugh out loud funny from first page to last and will prove to be a welcome and appreciated addition to personal reading lists and community library graphic novel collections.
SKATING ON THIN ICE? What if they say something horrible and I cry?
SKATING ON THIN ICE:: I've got good co-ordination, but I'm clumsy.
Skating on thin ice: a study of the injuries sustained at a temporary ice skating rink.
Now that Anthea is losing her weekly distraction, we can only hope that Mr Bovey is prepared for a return to a life where he's the only partner skating on thin ice.
"We'll be skating on thin ice," Shaun told me, a line he inexplicably believed became funnier each time, because he would also use it on the city manager, our graphic artist and the oval's lead skate guard.
Murder, She Write: Skating on Thin Ice is the latest addition to the series and tells of Christine, who has long dreamed of competing in pairs figure skating.
SKATING ON THIN ICE: Jennifer Metcalfe with Dancing partner Sylvian Longchambon
Nothing can beat watching Heather skating on thin ice (once again) with the possibility of making a fool of herself in public (once again).
Cadbury Schweppes is skating on thin ice with the launch of its A&W and Sunkist Floats.
Here they give Sunday Mirror readers their verdicts on which celebrities are hot to watch - and who is skating on thin ice.
I'VE been skating on thin ice for years, or so my colleagues tell me!
Dean Timmins, 21, also praised the rink, despite saying it was a case of skating on thin ice at the moment.
The Labour Party is skating on thin ice in Billingham.