hang by a thread

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.

Example Sentences

But nothing substantial can happen while the Gaza ceasefire hangs by a thread, and Israel and Hamas still trade occasional blows.

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The fragile cease-fire in Gaza hung by a thread.

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The Dodgers' hopes of becoming the first team in 25 years to win back-to-back World Series are now hanging by a thread.

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After dropping Game 1 in their best-of-three set against the Red Sox, their World Series aspirations were left hanging by a thread before the calendar even turned to October.

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Players who don't have the manager's back might not strain every last sinew when they know his job is hanging by a thread.

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Related Words

• compromise 
• defy 
• endanger 
• imperil 
• jeopardize