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on the edge

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*on the edge

Fig. very anxious and about to become distraught; on the verge of becoming irrational. (*Typically: be ~; live ~. See also on edge.) After the horrible events of the last week, we are all on the edge.

See also: edge, on

(live) on the edge

1. to be in an uncertain situation or one that could cause harm I do not believe a person has to live on the edge in order to be a creative artist. Related vocabulary: live dangerously

2. to be very poor Too many children live on the edge, without proper food or medical care.

See also: edge, on

on the edge

1. In a precarious position; also, in a state of keen excitement, as from danger or risk. For example, When the stock market crashed, their whole future was on the edge, or Skydivers obviously must enjoy living on the edge.

2. on the edge of. On the point of doing something, as in He was on the edge of winning the election when the sex scandal broke. [c. 1600] Both def. 1 and 2 allude to the danger of falling over the edge of a precipice.

See also: edge, on

on the edge

1. In a precarious position.

2. In a state of keen excitement, as from danger or risk: "the excitement of combat, of living on the edge" (Nelson DeMille).

See also: edge, on