i Register
In some senses, knife-edge is marked as figuratively. Watch for register when choosing this word.
ADJ.
recoverable, right
PREP.
on
noun
A piece of steel sharpened to an acute edge or angle, and resting on a smooth surface, serving as the axis of motion of a pendulum, scale beam, or other piece required to oscillate with the least possible friction.
A precarious balance that could be upset by a very small force in either direction.
The game was on a knife-edge.
[…]meanwhile, Biloxi and Vincennes are both in the process of going down and being abandoned, whilst Miami is right on the knife-edge of being recoverable, with three destroyers clustering around offering pumping and additional damage-control crews to try and keep the light cruiser afloat.
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: the edge of a knife.
The game was on a knife-edge.
Wiktionary[…]meanwhile, Biloxi and Vincennes are both in the process of going down and being abandoned, whilst Miami is right on the knife-edge of being recoverable, with three destroyers clustering around offe
WiktionaryBoris Johnson's future on a knife edge after No 10 party apology [title]
Wiktionaryi Register
In some senses, knife-edge is marked as figuratively. Watch for register when choosing this word.