IdiomNature
English
Englishskate on thin ice
Meaning: In an unsafe or risky position.
Example: “You're skating on thin ice with the teacher after skipping two tests.”
Equivalents in other languages
Turkish: Pabuç pahalı Literally: The shoe is expensive
Swedish: på hal is Literally: On slippery ice
Origin: Skating on ice too thin to hold a person's weight is dangerous, since it may crack at any moment. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote in 1841, "In skating over thin ice our safety is in our speed," and the figurative phrase became common in the 19th century.
More English idioms
- take something by storm To win great success or popularity very quickly.
- take the wind out of someone's sails To deflate someone's confidence or spoil their high expectations.
- too many irons in the fire Too many activities demanding one's time.
- turn over a new leaf To change one's bad ways and begin to lead a better life.
- under a cloud Less than entirely trustworthy; suspected of some wrongdoing.
- under the weather Unwell; ill.
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