THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
On a knife edge
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
In a tense or difficult situation whose outcome is very uncertain.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- The future of the club was on a knife edge while it waited for funding.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
The future of the club was ________ while it waited for funding.
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On a knife edge — In a tense or difficult situation whose outcome is very uncertain.
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Make it yours
Write one sentence using “On a knife edge” about your own life.
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Does your sentence match this meaning?
In a tense or difficult situation whose outcome is very uncertain.
Compare: The future of the club was on a knife edge while it waited for funding.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use it when an important outcome could go either way and there is reason to worry. It is stronger than simply saying a minor detail is undecided.
More examples in context
- The final result remained on a knife edge until the last votes were counted.
- Our plan was on a knife edge after the only available driver cancelled.
Usage note
“Balanced on a knife edge” is a useful form. Before a noun, use a hyphen, as in “a knife-edge decision.” No actual knife is involved.
A short conversation
A: Is the exhibition definitely going ahead?
B: Its future is on a knife edge. We are waiting for permission to use the hall.
A: Let us check whether another venue is available.
One more practice question
Which situation is on a knife edge?
A. A completed project has a fully confirmed successful result.
B. An important project may succeed or fail, and the outcome is tense and uncertain.
Check your answer
B. The expression combines uncertainty with a difficult or worrying situation.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.