ragged edge

American  

noun

1. the brink, as of a cliff.

2. any extreme edge; verge.

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idioms

1. on the ragged edge, in a dangerous or precarious position; on the verge or brink of.

   on the ragged edge of despair.

Etymology

Origin of ragged edge

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ragged edge

Norris took pole with a lap right on the ragged edge.

From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026

I remember thinking, I’m like on the ragged edge of sanity.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2023

Firefighters driving bulldozers straightened the ragged edge of a fire line that had been gouged out by firefighters to keep the Bootleg Fire from spreading further east, the firefighting command center said.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 2, 2021

In her Curtiss biplane, she sat out in front of the engine, as one spectator said, “On the ragged edge of nothing.”

From Washington Post ● Jan. 6, 2019

On the ragged edge, a neat person had printed in blue ink, “P.A.” and the year the actor, dancer, or musician had graduated.

From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago

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