fine line

American  

[fahyn lahyn] / ˈfaɪn ˈlaɪn /

noun

1. a small, barely perceptible difference.

   There's often a fine line between helping and interfering.

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idioms

1. walk a fine line,

   1. to act carefully in order to avoid the wrong outcome or maintain a delicate balance.

      Moderators walk a fine line between censorship and protecting their site's users.

      I had to walk a fine line between maintaining the peace and doing my job.

   2. to act in a way that risks a disastrous outcome.

      You’re walking a fine line, buddy—if you don’t start watching your mouth, you’ll lose the respect of your kids.

Etymology

Origin of fine line

First recorded in 1845–50

Example Sentences

There’s a fine line between lucky and cursed, however, and Pulisic is straddling it.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026

The country, which has walked a fine line between Washington and Tehran, is losing its footing as an Arab state trusted by both sides.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

Crisis strikes the kitchen when our forgotten, shelved-away ingredients teeter on the fine line between fresh and spoiled.

From Salon • May 30, 2026

EU trade ministers meeting in Brussels Friday trod a fine line, stressing that the EU-China relationship was important, but more balance was needed.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

In competition, we always performed the skills we’d practiced and mastered in the gym, because as any gymnast can tell you, there’s a fine line between being courageous and ending up with a major injury.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles