Hang by a thread

Meaning

Describing a situation that is extremely precarious or in imminent danger of total collapse. It is the verbal equivalent of watching a tightrope walker sneeze.

Dramatic, serious, cautious

Used in a sentence

• My job is hanging by a thread after that spreadsheet error.
• The bridge was hanging by a thread during the storm.
• His patience was hanging by a thread by the end of the meeting.