# skate on thin ice

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/skate-on-thin-ice
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To be (or to place oneself) in a risky, potentially dangerous or delicate situation.

## Examples

- You are skating on thin ice by arriving late again.
- If you keep arguing with your boss about such small details, you are skating on thin ice.
- By ignoring the safety warnings and proceeding with the merger, the board of directors was effectively skating on thin ice.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.