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Region: General | Usage example: The merger was a high-wire act with little room for error.

High-wire act

Meaning

A risky enterprise requiring precision.

Usage

Used for precarious operations.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Circus performers balancing on wires.

Used since the 20th century in business risk narratives.