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Synonyms

ragged edge

American  

noun

  1. the brink, as of a cliff.

  2. any extreme edge; verge.

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The last few years I've been off balance, right on the ragged edge of my technique where that if I have to push a little bit more, I lose it.

From BBC • Aug. 28, 2024

But this sleek atmosphere conceals a ragged edge.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 2, 2023

A few cabins were peeking over the ragged edge, as if waiting for high tide to jump into the ocean.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 28, 2023

The Buccaneers’ season rode the ragged edge of disaster for the first two months.

From Washington Post • Nov. 14, 2022

My tongue felt the ragged edge of a broken tooth.

From "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.