hang in the balance

to depend on something for success or continued existence With thousands of jobs hanging in the balance, there's a lot of competition to attract new factories.

Usage notes: sometimes used without hang: They don't think we should get involved, even if lives are in the balance.

hang in the balance

Be in a precarious condition or in a state of suspense. For example, The doctor said her life was hanging in the balance. This expression alludes to the suspended balance scale where an object is placed in one pan and weights are added one by one to the other pan until the two are balanced. [First half of 1400s]

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Intira	-	Thai
Olja	-	Serbian
Nizhoni	-	Native American, Navajo
Nana (3)	-	Georgian
Acket	['ækit]
Lavena	-	English (Rare)