tenuous hold

[ˈtɛn.ju.əs hoʊld]
noun phrasepl: tenuous holds
controle precário
1. A weak, fragile, or uncertain grip or control over something; a position or relationship that is easily lost or disrupted
The government maintained only a tenuous hold on power after the election results.
O governo mantinha apenas um controle precário sobre o poder após os resultados eleitorais.
2. A barely secure grasp or connection that is at risk of failing or being broken
She had a tenuous hold on her sanity during the crisis.
Ela tinha um controle precário sobre sua sanidade durante a crise.
This phrase is frequently used in American English in political, business, and personal contexts to describe unstable situations. In Brazilian Portuguese, it often appears in news media and formal discussions about political or economic instability. The concept reflects universal concerns about vulnerability and loss of control.
NYC Slang
shaky grip / sketchy hold
Synonyms / Sinônimos
weak gripfragile controluncertain graspshaky positionprecarious footholdloose grip
Antonyms / Antônimos
firm gripstrong controlsecure holdiron gripsolid grasp

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
controle precário / domínio frágil
Most commonly used in formal or written contexts
Rio de Janeiro
aperto fraco / controle mole
More colloquial usage in spoken Portuguese
São Paulo
controle precário / segurança abalada
Formal business and political discourse
Portugal
controlo frágil / precariedade de domínio
European Portuguese variant with different vocabulary

Related Words

tenuousholdgraspcontrolprecariousfragilefoothold

Related Idioms & Phrases

hanging by a thread
on thin ice
a house built on sand
walking on eggshells
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →