a fine / thin line

/ɐ fˈaɪn θˈɪn lˈaɪn/

a fine / thin line

a delicate distinction between two things, particularly two apparently similar situations or concepts

Examples

1. And the move to violent insurrection can sometimes, unfortunately, be quite, quite a thin line.

2. The members of Sunny’s group are walking a fine line.

3. There's a fine line between humour and inappropriateness.

4. As a parent, I knew that there was a thin line between panic and caution.