TIGHTROPE Definition & Meaning

tightrope

[ tahyt-rohp ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a rope or wire cable, stretched tight, on which acrobats perform feats of balancing.

verb (used without object)

tightroped, tightroping.

to walk, move, or proceed on or as on a tightrope:
He tightroped through enemy territory.

verb (used with object)

tightroped, tightroping.

to make (one's way, course, etc.) on or as on a tightrope.

tightrope

/ ˈ�ٲ�ɪ��ˌ��əʊ�� /

noun

a rope or cable stretched taut above the ground on which acrobats walk or perform balancing feats
to be in a difficult situation that demands careful and considered behaviour

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of tightrope¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; tight + rope

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Idioms and Phrases

see walk a tightrope .

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

A week ago, Westminster was digesting the chancellor's Spring Statement and all the talk was of a tightrope walk and precarious public finances.

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But it is trying to walk a diplomatic tightrope to maintain good relations with both countries, while also continuing to operate its businesses - and buy crucial minerals.

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But it's a hard tightrope to walk, on track and off.

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The circus is still in town, but the trapeze artists, tightrope walkers and other eye-catching acts are no more.

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Jordan, a key US ally, has been treading a tightrope between its military and diplomatic ties, and popular support for the Palestinians at home.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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