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Idiom: On a knife edge
The phrase on a knife edge describes a situation that is very risky or difficult, where things could quickly get much better or much worse.
People use it when talking about tense or uncertain times, when no one knows what will happen next.
Many people today feel the world is on a knife edge.
The war in Ukraine has made Europe more tense, and worries about peace and safety are growing.
People watching the news are concerned that the conflict might spread or get worse at any time.
At the same time, China’s increasing power has made geopolitics less predictable.
Many countries are uncertain about how to respond to China’s growing influence and military expansion.
Because of this, every choice could raise tensions or even lead to conflict.
Donald Trump’s trade disputes, especially with China, have also put the global economy on a knife edge.
When big countries initiate a trade war, it hurts economies everywhere and puts jobs at risk.
As a result, many businesses and workers are uncertain about what will happen next.
With all these problems occurring simultaneously, it can seem as though the world is on a knife edge.
Many people hope that leaders will make good choices to prevent another world war.
In these uncertain times, we must all remain calm and hope for peace, while ensuring we are properly prepared for any kind of war.
Understanding what it means to be on a knife edge can help us discuss these important issues and see why they matter.
Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test
This post is understandable by someone with at least a 7th-grade education (age 12 – 14).
On the Flesch-Kincaid reading-ease test, this post scores 75.
The easier a passage is to read, the higher the score on a scale of 0 – 100.
