precarious thread

[prɪˈkɛriəs θrɛd]
noun phrasepl: precarious threads
fio precário
1. A fragile or unstable connection, relationship, or situation that is in danger of breaking or failing at any moment
Their marriage was hanging by a precarious thread after years of disagreements.
O casamento deles pendia por um fio precário depois de anos de desacordos.
2. A tenuous link or connection that barely holds something together
The company's survival depends on a precarious thread of investor confidence.
A sobrevivência da empresa depende de um fio precário de confiança dos investidores.
3. An extremely delicate or vulnerable situation that requires careful handling
Peace in the region hangs by a precarious thread.
A paz na região está pendurada por um fio precário.
This expression is commonly used in both English-speaking and Portuguese-speaking contexts to describe relationships, businesses, or situations in crisis. In Brazil, the phrase 'pendurado por um fio' is frequently used in everyday conversation, news media, and literature to convey urgency and fragility. Americans use this idiom to express anxiety about unstable situations, particularly in business and personal relationships.
NYC Slang
hanging by a thread / barely holding it together
Synonyms / Sinônimos
thin threadfragile connectiontenuous linkhanging by a threadslender thread
Antonyms / Antônimos
solid foundationstrong bondstable connectionfirm relationship

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
fio precário
Standard translation used across Brazil
General Brazilian
pendurado por um fio
Common idiomatic expression meaning 'hanging by a thread'
Portugal
fio precário
Same usage as Brazilian Portuguese
Portugal
suspenso por um fio
Alternative Portuguese European expression with similar meaning

Related Words

fragileunstablevulnerabletenuousdelicatethreadbarelyteetering

Related Idioms & Phrases

hanging by a thread
on the verge of collapse
teetering on the edge
pendurado por um fio (Portuguese)
à beira do precipício (Portuguese)
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