on the edge

1. In a precarious position; also, in a state of keen excitement, as from danger or risk. For example, When the stock market crashed, their whole future was on the edge , or Skydivers obviously must enjoy living on the edge .

2. on the edge of . On the point of doing something, as in He was on the edge of winning the election when the sex scandal broke . [c. 1600] Both def. 1 and 2 allude to the danger of falling over the edge of a precipice.

Example Sentences

“We’re living on the edge all the time,” he said.

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The discovery of the sonobuoy came in the same week UK Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed the Russian vessel Yantar had been operating on the edge of UK waters.

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Sitting in a bowl on the edge of the host stand with the restaurant’s name artfully etched on the front.

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The stock market is living on the edge—and it may stay there for the rest of the year.

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The stock market is living on the edge—and it may stay there for the rest of the year.

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Related Words

• insignificant 
• minimal 
• minor 
• negligible