thread the needle
Squeeze through narrowly
Thread the needle is to pass something through a narrow opening with precision, from the literal act of pushing thread through a needle's eye.
The phrase often describes navigating a tight space or finding a path between competing constraints: The quarterback threaded the needle between two defenders.
In yoga and stretching, it names a pose where one arm passes through a gap created by the other.
Degree of correctness
- finesseSubtle, deft handling
- dexteritySkillful hand coordination
- exactnessCorrectness in every detail
- delicacyRefined sensitivity or rarity
meticulousness · carefulness · steadiness · control · coordination · skill · expertise · nimbleness
Thread loop in fabric
- eyeOrgan of sight
- embroideryDecorative stitching on fabric
- tailoringCustom clothing adjustment
- seamstressOne who stitches garments
thimble · bobbin · fabric · darning · hemming · mending · sewing · needlepoint
Agreement through mutual sacrifice
- middle groundPosition between extremes
- tightropeTaut cord for walking
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
nuance · calibration · trade-off · sweet spot · equilibrium · moderation · reconciliation · negotiation
accuracy
Degree of correctness
delicacy · meticulousness · carefulness · steadiness · control · coordination · skill · expertise · nimbleness · tactility
stitch
Thread loop in fabric
- eyeOrgan of sight
- embroideryDecorative stitching on fabric
- tailoringCustom clothing adjustment
seamstress · thimble · bobbin · fabric · darning · hemming · mending · sewing · needlepoint · cross-stitch
compromise
Agreement through mutual sacrifice
- middle groundPosition between extremes
- tightropeTaut cord for walking
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
mediation · nuance · calibration · trade-off · sweet spot · equilibrium · moderation · reconciliation · negotiation · juggling
maneuver
Deliberate tactical movement
- navigateGuide through terrain
- steerDirect movement or castrated bull
- weaveInterlace strands into fabric
slalom · dodge · sidestep · slip through · passage · pathway · clearance · gap · opening · tight spot
- Sewing Metaphorsseamless, woven, patched up, pattern, tailored
- stretchesback extension, cat stretch, cat-cow, cat cow, child's pose
- Folk Dancingdo-si-do, dosido, dosado, promenade, allemande
- restorative yogasavasana, child's pose, corpse pose, bolster, yoga block
thread the needlebrute force
Power over technique
bludgeon · steamroll · blunt instrument · bull in a china shop · heavy-handed
thread the needlemiss the mark
Fail to achieve aim
overshoot · undershoot · blow it · fumble · crash and burn
thread the needlethrow caution to the wind
Act recklessly, disregarding consequences
damn the torpedoes · fly blind · wing it · shoot from the hip
thread, needle, threads, threaded, threading, threadbare, needles, needled, needling