phrase🎓 English idiom

on thin ice

in a risky or precarious situation

What it means

In a risky or precarious situation where one wrong move could lead to serious trouble. It often describes someone whose position or behaviour is close to crossing an unacceptable line.

Examples

  • After two warnings, he knew he was on thin ice at work.
  • You're on thin ice making promises you can't possibly keep.
  • The negotiations were on thin ice after the leaked email.
  • She skated on thin ice by joking about the boss during the meeting.

Where it comes from

The metaphor draws on the literal danger of walking across ice that may be too thin to bear one's weight. It has been used figuratively in English since the 19th century, including by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Related idioms

#in hot water#get cold feet#walk on eggshells#rock the boat

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