ragged edge

noun

1. the brink, as of a cliff.
2. any extreme edge; verge.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ragged edge¹

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

   on the ragged edge of despair.

Example Sentences

Even though another ragged edge of a flower appears to vanish every time I check, the stems, now more pronounced, give the impression of growing because they lean toward each other.

From Time

On a breezy February afternoon at the ragged edge of rapidly gentrifying downtown Los Angeles, hipsters walk toy dogs along Pico Boulevard.

From ProPublica

Why in thunder am I out here on this ragged edge of civilization struggling with almost primitive conditions?

From Project Gutenberg

If, however, the solder is too cold, a ragged edge will result.

From Project Gutenberg

Things came to the ragged edge of a rush, but white men ran in with rifles and cutlasses.

From Project Gutenberg

And trading on margin means trading on the ragged edge of nothing.

From Project Gutenberg

Treading water, he held them up, getting close to the ragged edge of the ice.

From Project Gutenberg