close to the wind
Skirting the edge
Close to the wind describes sailing at a sharp angle toward the wind's direction—as near as possible while still maintaining forward motion.
Figuratively, to sail close to the wind is to push the boundaries of what's acceptable, legal, or safe: His tax schemes sail pretty close to the wind.
The metaphor captures calculated risk-taking at the edge of trouble.
brinkmanship
Pushing conflicts to disaster's threshold
- high-stakesInvolving significant consequences
- precariousDangerously insecure
- perilousFraught with danger
reckless · daring · audacity · boldness · gamble · venture · hazard · jeopardy · chance · speculation
tacking
Angled sailing maneuver
- beatingRepeated striking or pulsing
- upwindToward the wind's origin
- pointingDirecting attention somewhere
luffing · headsail · mainsail · sheeting · helm · pinching · feathering · weather helm · genoa · jib
close to the windsafe
Free from peril
cautious · playing it safe · prudent · conservative · risk-averse
close to the windabove board
Honest and unconcealed
squeaky clean · beyond reproach · by the book · on the level · straight and narrow
close, closer, closest, closely, closeness, closure, close-knit, enclose, enclosed