skate on thin ice

Meaning

To 'skate on thin ice' means to take a big risk or be in a highly precarious situation where a single mistake could lead to disaster, failure, or severe consequences. In professional contexts, it often refers to an employee whose poor performance or behavior has put them on the verge of being fired or disciplined.

Examples

• After missing three major deadlines this month, Mark is really skating on thin ice.

  After missing three major deadlines this month, Mark is really skating on thin ice.

• You're skating on thin ice by criticizing the CEO's strategy so publicly.

  You're skating on thin ice by criticizing the CEO's strategy so publicly.

• The company is skating on thin ice with these aggressive tax avoidance schemes.

  The company is skating on thin ice with these aggressive tax avoidance schemes.

• If we miss another payment, we'll be skating on thin ice with our main supplier.

  If we miss another payment, we'll be skating on thin ice with our main supplier.

• I'd advise you to tread carefully; you are skating on thin ice with the HR department.

  I'd advise you to tread carefully; you are skating on thin ice with the HR department.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He is walking on thin ice.

  ✓ He is skating on thin ice.

  While 'walking on thin ice' is occasionally understood, 'skating' is the far more common and accepted idiomatic verb in professional English.

• ✗ She skated on the thin ice.

  ✓ She skated on thin ice.

  Do not use the definite article 'the' before 'thin ice'. The idiom is fixed as 'skate on thin ice'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you keep turning up late to client meetings, you'll be ___.

  💡 taking a huge risk that could lead to trouble

  Show answer

  skating on thin ice

• The startup is ___ financially and cannot afford any more unexpected expenses.

  💡 in a highly risky or precarious situation

  Show answer

  skating on thin ice