high wire act
Circus balance performance
A high wire act is a circus or acrobatic performance on a tightly stretched cable suspended high above the ground, performed without a safety net.
Figuratively, any endeavor requiring careful balance under risky conditions: Managing the merger while keeping both boards happy was a high wire act.
The phrase emphasizes precariousness—one misstep means disaster.
- tightropeTaut cord for walking
- balancing actManaging multiple competing priorities
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
- circusTraveling entertainment with performers
- center ringPrimary performance space
acrobat · daredevil · trapeze · net · fall · vertigo · tension · holding breath · performer · danger · aerialist · precarious · swaying · spotlight · live audience · gasps · sequins · pole
- circuscircus, big top, clown, clowns, ringmaster
- Precariousnessprecarious, unstable, teetering, tottering, wobbly
- Stuntsstunt, stuntman, stunt double, daredevil, stunt performer
- risk phrasestake a chance, take a gamble, risk it all, go for broke, roll the dice
high wire actsolid ground
Stable surface beneath
terra firma · firm footing · floor routine · stable footing · sure footing
high wire actsure thing
Guaranteed outcome or agreement
safe bet · slam dunk · no-brainer · cakewalk · piece of cake
high, higher, highest, highly, highness, wire, wires, wired, wiring