knife-edges
Narrow mountain ridges
Knife-edges are the sharp cutting edges of knives, or by extension, any thin ridge or edge resembling one: The mountain's knife-edges made the climb treacherous.
The term often suggests precariousness—situations balanced on knife-edges could tip either way: Negotiations remained on knife-edges throughout the week.
Steadiness or amount owed
- teeteringUnstably balanced, nearly falling
- brinkCritical boundary point
- precipiceSteep rock face
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
instability · tension · risk · danger · volatility · critical · margins · tightrope
Extremely fine-edged
- honedSharpened or refined
- whettedMade more acute
- keenSharp or enthusiastic
- cuttingDividing via sharp edge
blades · precision · fineness · thinness · slicing · bevels · angles · points
Awareness of one's position
- fulcrumsLever support points
- pivotsTurns on fixed point
- supportsSustains or reinforces
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
instruments · balances · scales · gauges · calibration · prisms · optical · measurement
Sharp mountain ridges
- crestsHighest points reached
- peaksHighest points attained
- summitsHighest elevations or conferences
- spinesStiff, pointed projections
serrations · razorbacks · cols · cirques · cornices · precipices · escarpments · pinnacles
balance
Steadiness or amount owed
uncertainty · instability · tension · risk · danger · volatility · critical · margins · tightrope · jeopardy
razor-sharp
Extremely fine-edged
cutting · blades · precision · fineness · thinness · slicing · bevels · angles · points · steels
bearings
Awareness of one's position
precision · instruments · balances · scales · gauges · calibration · prisms · optical · measurement · pendulums
arêtes
Sharp mountain ridges
spines · serrations · razorbacks · cols · cirques · cornices · precipices · escarpments · pinnacles · saddles
knife-edgesrounded edges
Corners made smooth
plateaus · mesas · gentle slopes · rolling hills · soft curves
knife-edgescomfort zones
Psychological areas of ease
sure things · certainties · safe bets · foregone conclusions
knife, edge, knives, edges, knifed, knifing, edged, edging, edgy