hang by a thread
To be in danger, calling for precise caution; to be in a precarious situation.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“His job is hanging by a thread right now.”
“After the company lost its biggest client, the future of the entire project was hanging by a thread.”
“With the bridge damaged by the storm and the river rising rapidly, the safety of the travelers hung by a thread.”
An allusion to the anecdotal sword of Damocles, which was suspended by a hair.
- 01
get the hang of
To begin to understand or manage at a basic level; to learn to handle with some skill.
- 02
give a hang
give a hoot; give a damn (to care about; to place value on something)
- 03
go hang
To be cursed; to be unworthy of notice or bother.
- 04
hang a leg
To hesitate; to hang back.
- 05
hang a Louie
Make a left turn while driving a vehicle (←).
- 06
hang a Ralph
To make a right turn while driving a vehicle (→).
- 07
hang a uey
To make a U-turn while driving a vehicle (∩).
- 08
hang an arse
to hang back, to be afraid to advance.
Last updated August 10, 2026