threaded the needle
Squeezed narrowly through
Threaded the needle is the past tense of thread the needle, meaning to pass through a narrow opening or navigate a difficult situation with precision.
The image is of guiding thread through a needle's eye—requiring steadiness and accuracy.
In sports, it often describes a pass through tight coverage: The quarterback threaded the needle to hit his receiver in double coverage.
More broadly, it means finding a path between competing constraints: The compromise threaded the needle between fiscal conservatives and progressives.
- eyeOrgan of sight
- sewingCraft with needle and thread
- sewing kitStitching supplies container
- holeAbsence in matter
- tight squeezeSituation with minimal clearance
precision · pinpoint accuracy · surgical precision · navigate · stitching · tact · dexterity · compromise · split the difference · diplomacy · suture · accuracy · execute · accomplish · maneuverability · negotiation · clutch · close call
threaded the needlemissed the mark
Failed to achieve goal
blew it · fumbled · crashed and burned · fell short · bungled
threaded the needleplayed it safe
Acted to minimize risk
went around · punted · dodged · skirted around · hedged
threaded the needlesideswiped
Hit glancingly while passing
collided · plowed into · hit the wall · wiped out · spun out
thread, threaded, threading, threads, threadbare, needle, needles, needled, needling