on thin ice

🌎Region: International 📊Difficulty Level:intermediate

💡Meaning

In a risky or precarious situation where one mistake could lead to serious trouble or failure.

🕰️Origin

From the literal danger of standing on ice that may crack; used figuratively for being in a precarious position, attested in English since at least the 19th century.

📝Notes

Often cautionary: implies your margin for error is small and consequences are near. Common in work/school/relationships/finance. Informal to neutral; can sound like a warning.

💬Examples

After missing two deadlines, he's on thin ice with his manager.
If you keep showing up late, you'll be on thin ice at work.
She knew she was on thin ice after making that joke in the meeting.
The team is on thin ice with fans after another disappointing loss.
I'm on thin ice with my parents because I forgot to call them back.

📘Grammar & Usage Notes

Typically used with forms of “be”: “be on thin ice (with [someone])” or “be on thin ice financially/at work.” Article is fixed (no “a”). Can be modified: “very/really on thin ice.”

🔗Synonyms

in hot water
in a precarious position
on shaky ground
on the edge
walking a tightrope

↔️Antonyms

on solid ground
in the clear
safe and sound