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to hang by a thread
01
to be in a state or situation so critical that even a minor mistake can lead to a failure or disaster
Idiom
Informal
What is the origin of the idiom "hang by a thread" and when to use it?
The idiom "hang by a thread" has its origins in the image of something being so delicately or precariously suspended that it is held in place only by a single thread or hair. Figuratively, it is used to describe a situation, object, or person that is in an extremely precarious and vulnerable state, where the slightest disturbance or challenge could lead to a catastrophic outcome.
Examples
The mayor's political future has been hanging by a thread since the fraud scandal.
