hang by a thread

Idioms and Phrases

Also, hang by a hair . Be in a risky or unstable situation, as in His promotion was hanging by a thread , or With the lead actor sick, the success of our play hung by a hair . This expression, already proverbial in the early 1500s, alludes to Damocles, who vexed King Dionysius with constant flattery. The king invited him to a banquet where Damocles found himself seated under a naked sword suspended by a single hair, symbolizing his insecure position at the court.

Example Sentences

With their Women's Champions League qualification hopes hanging by a thread, an interim manager in charge and no silverware - what has gone wrong for Manchester City this season?

From BBC

Given the ease in which their lower order managed to clear the ropes as the innings progressed, Rizwan's side will be ruing that slow start with their semi-final hopes already hanging by a thread.

From BBC

England's hopes of regaining the Women's Ashes are hanging by a thread after suffering a heavy 86-run defeat by Australia in the third and final one-day international in Hobart.

From BBC

Levels of the most significant planet-warming gas in our atmosphere rose more quickly than ever previously recorded last year, scientists say, leaving a key global climate target hanging by a thread.

From BBC

He threw three head-scratching interceptions, each of which threatened to derail a Trojan offense that seemed to be hanging by a thread.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compromise
• defy
• endanger
• imperil
• jeopardize