tread/walk a tightrope
walk a tightrope
To do something that requires extreme care and precision; to navigate a situation that allows very little or no error. Since there's been talk of layoffs, I've been walking a tightrope at work to prove how valuable I am.
See also: tightrope, walk
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
walk a tightrope
Fig. to be in a situation where one must be very cautious. I've been walking a tightrope all day. I need to relax. Our business is about to fail. We've been walking a tightrope for three months.
See also: tightrope, walk
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
walk a tightrope
Also, be on a tightrope. Take or be on a very precarious course, as in A university press must walk a tightrope to publish scholarly books and still make money , or The general was on a tightrope as to whether he should advance or retreat. This idiom transfers the balancing act performed by tightrope or high-wire acrobats to other concerns. [First half of 1900s]
See also: tightrope, walk
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
tread/walk a ˈtightrope
,be on a ˈtightrope
be in a situation where you must act very carefully: I’m walking a tightrope at the moment; one more mistake and I might lose my job.A tightrope is a rope high up in the air that an acrobat walks along at a circus.
See also: tightrope, tread, walk
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- walk a tightrope
- tightrope
- be walking a tightrope
- something of the kind
- something of the sort
- something of the/that kind/sort
- walk on a thin line between (something) and (something else)
- street smarts
- walk a fine line between (something)
- walk a fine line between something