ВИСЕТЬ НА ВОЛОСКЕ Literal definition: hanging on a hair
Meaning: to be in an extremely dangerous situation, to take a great risk. The origin of the idiom is related to the ancient Greek legend of the Syracusan king Dionysius, willing to demonstrate the responsibility and burden of being a ruler. During a feast he seated an envious nobleman Damocles in his chair. In the midst of the banquet Damocles suddenly noticed a heavy sword hanging over his head on a horsehair, pointed down and ready to fall at any moment. Then he realised that the happy life of rulers is always accompanied by deadly danger.
Usage example:
Только чудо может нас спасти. Судьба целой вселенной висит на волоске!
Only a miracle can save us. The fate of the entire universe hangs in the balance!
Synonyms:
на волоске от гибели
висеть на ниточке
держаться на честном слове
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