walk a tightrope

Idioms  

1. Also, be on a tightrope. Take or be on a very precarious course, as in A university press must walk a tightrope to publish scholarly books and still make money, or The general was on a tightrope as to whether he should advance or retreat. This idiom transfers the balancing act performed by tightrope or high-wire acrobats to other concerns. [First half of 1900s]

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Example Sentences

So rather than making those taxes disappear, you will have to walk a tightrope to make sure you stay within your lower tax bracket.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

He has tried to walk a tightrope, commending citizens for exercising their right to protest but urging them not to “take the bait” by crossing into violence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026

Another complication is stagnating employment, forcing policymakers to walk a tightrope between lowering rates to boost the economy and keeping them higher to curb inflation.

From Barron's • Jan. 25, 2026

The Carney government has had to walk a tightrope in dealing with public dismay over US relations.

From BBC • Oct. 7, 2025

It might be a drama of "stunts," too—as the movie people said: dangerous stunts, where she might have to walk a tightrope with a deep drop underneath.

From Vision House by Williamson, A. M. (Alice Muriel)