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Glite Dictionary
to walk on a razor's edge

to walk on a razor's edge

8.6
To be in a very dangerous situation where a small mistake causes big harm
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : caminar en la cuerda floja
  • She felt like she was walking on a razor's edge juggling her demanding job and family responsibilities.

Examples

  • Diplomats often walk on a razor's edge when negotiating peace between hostile nations.

  • After the scandal, the company was forced to walk on a razor's edge to avoid bankruptcy.

  • Don't walk on a razor's edge when making such important decisions!

  • He is walking on a razor's edge with his risky investments.

  • After the scandal, the company had to walk on a razor's edge to avoid bankruptcy.

  • In negotiations, diplomats often walk on a razor's edge to maintain peace and avoid conflict.

  • Balancing her career and personal life, she felt she was walking on a razor's edge with every decision.

Synonyms

on thin ice
vsto walk on a razor's edge
  • Informal
20 6.2

In danger of getting into trouble for something you did

is a more extreme precarious state where small mistakes cause serious harm
to walk a tightrope
vsto walk on a razor's edge
  • Informal
4 7.7

To be in a difficult situation where you must be very careful to avoid failure or trouble

is a state where a single small error causes serious consequences
to run a risk
vsto walk on a razor's edge
2 3.0

To do something that might lead to harm or loss

is being in a very precarious state where one small mistake causes serious consequences
to skate on thin ice
vsto walk on a razor's edge
  • Informal
1 6.8

To take a risk that can get you in trouble

is about being in a dangerous state where a small slip has severe consequences
on a knife-edge
vsto walk on a razor's edge
1 7.8

A situation that could easily end well or badly

is a state where one small error causes serious consequences, not mere uncertainty
to have the wolf by the ear
vsto walk on a razor's edge
  • Archaic
1 9.9

You are in a dangerous situation where giving up is as risky as staying

is immediate precarious danger from small mistakes, not a choice between risks
to walk on the high rope
vsto walk on a razor's edge
  • Informal
8.6

To be in a risky situation that needs great care to avoid failure

is a more precarious situation where any small slip brings severe harm
on the high rope
vsto walk on a razor's edge
  • US
9.5

In a risky situation that could end badly

is about immediate danger from tiny mistakes rather than general risk
to tiptoe through a minefield
vsto walk on a razor's edge
  • Informal
8.8

To act very carefully in a difficult situation to avoid mistakes or offend people

is a dangerous state where small errors cause serious harm, not mainly careful navigation
to walk on broken glass
vsto walk on a razor's edge
  • Informal
9.6

Act carefully to avoid causing trouble in a tense, painful situation

is an unstable danger where small mistakes cause serious harm, not mainly suffering

Antonyms

safety
∞ 1.0

A place or condition that protects you from danger

stability
363 3.1

Being steady and not likely to change

How Dangerous

to walk on a razor's edge
  • Informal
8.6
to walk a tightrope
  • Informal
4 7.7
on thin ice
  • Informal
20 6.2

Surface Forms

walk on a razor's edge infinitive
walked on a razor's edge past
walked on a razor's edge past participle
walking on a razor's edge present participle
walks on a razor's edge third person singular

Morphology

walk + on + a + razor's + edge

The expression relies on a vivid literal image — being on the sharp edge of a razor — which directly suggests extreme precariousness and danger, so a learner who knows 'walk', 'on', 'razor' and 'edge' can likely infer the general meaning. However, it is a metaphorical extension rather than fully compositional (the sense of serious consequences is inferred from the image, not from a predictable combination of word senses), so it is not fully transparent.

Etymology

Walk on a razor's edge gives a strong picture: imagine walking along the very thin, sharp razor's edge of a blade where one small slip would cause a deep cut. That's why it means 'to be in a very dangerous or risky situation'.