skating on thin ice

Meaning

To be in a highly risky, dangerous, or precarious situation where a single mistake could lead to disaster or severe consequences. It is frequently used to warn someone that their behavior is pushing the limits of what is acceptable, whether at work, school, or in personal relationships.

Examples

• You're skating on thin ice by showing up late to work for the third time this week.

  You're skating on thin ice by showing up late to work for the third time this week.

• After failing his last two exams, Mark is skating on thin ice in his chemistry class.

  After failing his last two exams, Mark is skating on thin ice in his chemistry class.

• I wouldn't bring up that topic with the boss right now; you'd be skating on thin ice.

  I wouldn't bring up that topic with the boss right now; you'd be skating on thin ice.

• The company is skating on thin ice with its current financial strategy.

  The company is skating on thin ice with its current financial strategy.

• He knew he was skating on thin ice when he decided to lie to his parents.

  He knew he was skating on thin ice when he decided to lie to his parents.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He is walking on thin ice with his boss.

  ✓ He is skating on thin ice with his boss.

  While 'walking on eggshells' is a real idiom, the correct idiom for this high-risk situation is 'skating on thin ice.'

• ✗ You are skating on the thin ice.

  ✓ You are skating on thin ice.

  The idiom is a fixed expression and does not use the definite article 'the' before 'thin ice.'

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you keep missing deadlines, you're going to find yourself ___ with the project manager.

  💡 In a risky position where further mistakes will cause trouble.

  Show answer

  skating on thin ice

• I'm warning you, you are ___ by making those unauthorized changes to the code.

  💡 Taking a big risk that could lead to trouble.

  Show answer

  skating on thin ice