Example
“The clinic's funding was hanging by a thread until the grant was approved.”
Dictionary details
Tags
Related idioms
Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.
play with fire
CEFR B2to take a serious risk that is likely to bring harmful consequences
Neutral
up against it
CEFR B2Facing severe difficulties, pressure, or obstacles.
Neutral
against the grain
CEFR C1in a way that conflicts with what is usual or with someone's natural character
Neutral
can of worms
CEFR B1a complicated problem that causes trouble the moment it is touched
Informal
domino effect
CEFR B1a chain reaction in which one event triggers a series of similar events
Neutral
easier said than done
CEFR B1Something that sounds simple to do but is actually hard.
Neutral
Source methodology
Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.