hang by a thread

Idioms  

1. 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.

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Example Sentences

England's hopes in the second Test and the Ashes hang by a thread following an awful third day against Australia at Lord's.

From BBC • Jun. 30, 2023

The trappings of a functional state — electricity, traffic lights, fuel — hang by a thread.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 4, 2021

Chile’s hopes of a World Cup place hang by a thread and, not for the first time, the thought occurs that a wonderful generation of players is collectively slowing up.

From The Guardian • Sep. 6, 2017

The heavily favored Cubs get all the pressure, while Cleveland has all the fun even though the Tribe seems to hang by a thread every night.

From Washington Post • Oct. 29, 2016

Once he was free, everything would hang by a thread.

From "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia

Related Words

• compromise
• defy
• endanger
• imperil
• jeopardize