teeter on the brink/edge of something

teeter on the brink of (something)

To be very close to doing something or of having some imminent event happen, especially that which is bad or disastrous. The company is still doing business, but ever since the recession hit, they've been teetering on the brink of closing down. The crew are so maddened by the cuts to their pay that everyone is teetering on the brink of mutiny.

See also: brink, of, on, teeter

teeter on the edge of (something)

To be very close to doing something or of having some imminent event happen, especially that which is bad or disastrous. The company is still doing business, but ever since the recession hit, they've been teetering on the edge of closing down. The crew are so maddened by the cuts to their pay that everyone is teetering on the edge of mutiny.

See also: edge, of, on, teeter

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

teeter on the ˈbrink/ˈedge of something

be very close to a very unpleasant or dangerous situation: The country is teetering on the brink of civil war.

If something teeters, it stands or moves in an unsteady way as if it is going to fall.

See also: brink, edge, of, on, something, teeter

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017