at the brink of (something)
On the verge of 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 at the brink of closing down. The crew is so maddened by the pay cuts that everyone is at the brink of mutiny. We're at the brink of success with these experiments, I just know it.
back from the brink (of something)
Back to a state of stability or well-being after being on the verge of utter ruin, failure, or destruction. The massive success of our latest product pulled the company back from the brink of bankruptcy. I was in a really dark, hopeless place, but the support and love of my family helped me come back from the brink. The success of the negotiations have brought the country back from the brink of all-out civil war.
be on the brink of (doing something)
To be on the verge of 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 on the brink of closing down. The crew is so maddened by the cuts to their pay that everyone is on the brink of quitting. We were on the brink of financial ruin, so this government grant was truly heaven-sent.
bring (someone or something) back from the brink (of something)
To return someone or something to a state of stability or well-being after being on the verge of utter ruin, failure, or destruction. The massive success of our latest product brought the company back from the brink of bankruptcy. I was in a really dark, hopeless place, but the support and love of my family brought me back from the brink. Collin's last-minute goal brought us back from the brink of defeat, giving us a chance to win the game in overtime.
brink of disaster
A point very close to complete ruin, destruction, or failure. Our company was on the brink of disaster, but after our latest product came out, we've been doing better than ever before! The increasing tension of looming war between the two countries has brought the entire region to the brink of disaster. If the stock market falls any further, the economy will be on the brink of disaster.
come back from the brink (of something)
To return to a state of stability or well-being after being on the verge of utter ruin, failure, or destruction. The company has come back from the brink of bankruptcy after the massive success of its newest product. I was in a really dark, hopeless place, but the support and love of my family helped me come back from the brink. A: "Do you think the country will really be able to come back from the brink of civil war?" B: "Yes, but it'll take calm words and serious negotiations."
drive (one) to the brink
To cause one to reach a point of desperation. The fact that my dog still barks all the time, even after finishing obedience school, is really driving me to the brink. That loud beeping noise is driving me to the brink! When is the alarm guy ever going to get here? If I have to work in this cubicle for one more day, it'll drive me to brink, I swear!
on the brink of (something)
On the verge of 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 is so maddened by the pay cuts that everyone is on the brink of mutiny. We're on the brink of success with these experiments, I just know it.
pull (someone or something) back from the brink (of something)
To return someone or something to a state of stability or well-being after being on the verge of utter ruin, failure, or destruction. The massive success of our latest product pulled the company back from the brink of bankruptcy. I was in a really dark, hopeless place, but the support and love of my family pulled me back from the brink. Collin's last-minute goal pulled us back from the brink of defeat, giving us a chance to win the game in overtime.
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.
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.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.