tightrope walk
Precarious elevated crossing
A tightrope walk is the act of crossing a suspended rope or wire, typically high above the ground.
The phrase extends to any precarious situation requiring careful balance between competing dangers or demands: The negotiator's tightrope walk between the two factions kept talks alive.
To tightrope walk is to perform such a crossing or navigate such a situation.
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
- balancing actManaging multiple competing priorities
- center of gravityEquilibrium point of mass
- highwireElevated taut cable
- high wire actElevated cable performance
acrobat · circus · big top · net · fall · one false step · tension · wobble · pole · daring · death defying · vertigo · abyss · precarious · steady · sway · performer · Philippe Petit
- featsfeat, stunt, exploit, daring feat, deed
- Mimemime, pantomime, invisible wall, whiteface, striped shirt
- public spectaclesparade, circus, fireworks, concert, festival
- Stuntsstunt, stuntman, stunt double, daredevil, stunt performer
- physical featsbackflip, handstand, somersault, cartwheel, splits
- balance exercisesyoga, tai chi, pilates, tree pose, balance boards
tightrope walksafety net
Protection against failure
safe bet · sure thing · playing it safe · failsafe · insurance policy
tightrope walksolid ground
Stable surface beneath
firm footing · terra firma · safety net · bedrock · stable platform
tightrope walkeasy street
State of financial security
cakewalk · walk in the park · piece of cake · no-brainer · slam dunk
tightrope, walk, tight, rope, tightropes, walks, walked, walking, walker