hang on by a thread

A form of hang by a thread — To be in danger, calling for precise caution; to be in a precarious situation.

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Meanings

verbhang on by a thread (third-person singular simple present hangs on by a thread, present participle hanging on by a thread, simple past and past participle hung on by a thread)

present singular third person hangs on by a thread · participle present hanging on by a thread · participle past hung on by a thread · past hung on by a thread

  1. alternativeAlternative form of hang by a thread.
Cite this entry
APA

hang on by a thread. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hang%20on%20by%20a%20thread

MLA

“hang on by a thread.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hang%20on%20by%20a%20thread. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “hang on by a thread,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hang%20on%20by%20a%20thread.

Source: hang on by a thread on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.