ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hang in the balance

idiom
Meaning

To be in a precarious situation, unsure of the future.


Examples
SIMPLE

The team's future hangs in the balance after the loss.

CONTEXTUAL

With the company facing a major lawsuit, the jobs of hundreds of employees hang in the balance.

COMPLEX

As the final votes were counted, the outcome of the election hung in the balance, leaving the entire nation in a state of tense anticipation.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    balance out

    To attain balance through the contrasting or reciprocating effect of different elements.

  2. 02

    balance the books

    To add up all the debits and credits.

  3. 03

    check and balance

    Provide mutual oversight and limitation by independent organizations in order to prevent abuses of power.

  4. 04

    get the hang of

    To begin to understand or manage at a basic level; to learn to handle with some skill.

  5. 05

    give a hang

    give a hoot; give a damn (to care about; to place value on something)

  6. 06

    go hang

    To be cursed; to be unworthy of notice or bother.

  7. 07

    hang a leg

    To hesitate; to hang back.

  8. 08

    hang a Louie

    Make a left turn while driving a vehicle (←).

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