Meaning & Origin
“On thin ice” describes a situation where a small mistake could cause serious trouble — like skating on ice that might crack. It’s used as a warning that someone’s position is fragile or their behavior is testing limits.
Pronunciation Guide
- thin — unvoiced “th,” tongue lightly between the teeth.
- ice — long “i,” like “eye‑s.”
- Natural rhythm: on THIN ICE.
Usage & Sentence Examples
Use it when someone is close to losing trust, breaking rules, or facing consequences.
- After two missed deadlines, we’re on thin ice with the client.
- You’re on thin ice — don’t share unverified numbers again.
- The coach said the forward is on thin ice after that penalty.
- Raising prices now could put us on thin ice with loyal users.
- He’s on thin ice at work for ignoring the escalation policy.
- The proposal is on thin ice unless we add a clear ROI section.
Synonyms
in hot water · skating on thin ice · on shaky ground · walking a tightrope · treading a fine line · in a precarious position
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