exist on borrowed time

exist on borrowed time

To live or exist in a temporary and/or tenuous position, which may come to an end suddenly and abruptly. The small aboriginal population has been existing on borrowed time since the invaders began colonizing their land. Accidents and disease can strike so unexpectedly that it feels like we're all existing on borrowed time. The company has existed on borrowed time ever since those risky investments in 2007 went sour.

See also: borrow, exist, on, time

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.