be hanging on by (one's) fingertips

1. Literally, to be grasping something, such as a cliff, with one's fingertips to avoid falling. The stranded hiker was hanging on by her fingertips until the rescue crew arrived. Safety first, campers—one stupid decision, and you're hanging on by your fingertips, screaming for help. I took off running to the edge of the cliff where Bobby was hanging on by his fingertips.

2. By extension, to be narrowly avoiding problems, failure, or catastrophe. They're hanging on by their fingertips out there—the other team's offensive is totally overwhelming them. Now that I have three small children to care for, I feel as if I'm hanging on by my fingertips every day. This girl is hanging on by her fingertips—she's barely breathing!

be hanging on by your fingertips

be hanging on by your fingernails

If you are hanging on by your fingertips or hanging on by your fingernails, you are only just managing to survive or to stay in the position you want. There are firms already hanging on by their fingertips who will not be able to take these extra costs. Real Madrid's poor start to the season has left coach Benito Floro hanging on to his job by his fingernails. Note: The verb cling is sometimes used instead of hang. The minister is said to be clinging on by his fingernails since the scandal. Note: You can also say that someone has a fingertip hold on something. A Bolton own goal early in the second half gave Liverpool the fingertip hold they needed to retain their grasp of the FA Cup.