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walk a tightrope

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walk a tightrope

Fig. to be in a situation where one must be very cautious. I've been walking a tightrope all day. I need to relax. Our business is about to fail. We've been walking a tightrope for three months.

See also: walk

walk a tightrope

to act carefully to avoid creating enemies or a dangerous situation The show has always walked a tightrope between old-fashioned humor and modern comedy. The organization's director must walk a tightrope between various religious groups.

Etymology: from the literal expression walk a tightrope (to walk on a tightly stretched wire that is high off the ground)

See also: walk

walk a tightrope

to act very carefully so that you avoid either of two opposite bad situations

Usage notes: A tightrope is a tightly stretched wire or rope fixed high above the ground which someone walks across in order to entertain people.

(often + between ) Many manufacturers have to walk a tightrope between overpricing their goods and pricing them so low that they make no profit.

See also: walk

walk a tightrope

Also, be on a tightrope. Take or be on a very precarious course, as in A university press must walk a tightrope to publish scholarly books and still make money , or The general was on a tightrope as to whether he should advance or retreat. This idiom transfers the balancing act performed by tightrope or high-wire acrobats to other concerns. [First half of 1900s]

See also: walk