What does the idiom skating on thin ice mean?

In a precarious or risky position, as in After failing the midterm, he was on thin ice with his math teacher. This metaphor is often rounded out as skate on thin ice, as in He knew he was skating on thin ice when he took his rent money with him to the racetrack.
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Is on thin ice a idiom?

Meaning: To be in a risky or potentially dangerous situation. Examples: I'm on thin ice with my boss because I've been late two days in a row.
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What is the origin of the idiom on thin ice?

This idiom is one that originated from Holland, now known as Netherlands. Skating originated from there and skating on thin ice was a phrase commonly used especially when seas/rivers/streams freeze during the winter and then people skate over them.
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What does the idiom walking on the ice mean?

' (skating / treading / walking) on thin ice: 1. in a dangerous position where you could fall or have an unfavorable result; 2) in a risky or uncertain situation. Notes: If you walk, tread or skate on thin ice there is a good chance that you might fall through the ice and into the freezing cold water.
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Which word refers to thin bending ice?

Definition of kittly-benders

: thin bending ice also : the act of running over such ice.
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Skating on Thin Ice - English Idiom



What are examples of idioms?

Common Idioms in English
  • Getting fired turned out to be a blessing in disguise. ...
  • These red poppies are a dime a dozen. ...
  • Don't beat around the bush. ...
  • After some reflection, he decided to bite the bullet. ...
  • I'm going to call it a night. ...
  • He's got a chip on his shoulder. ...
  • Would you cut me some slack? - Don't be so hard on me.
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What is the meaning of the idiom a queer fish?

Definition of odd/queer fish

: a strange or unusual person She's really quite an odd fish.
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What does the idiom break a leg means?

This is an expression used mostly in the world of theatre to mean 'good luck'. Actors and musicians are never wished 'good luck'; before they walk on to the stage, they are usually told 'break a leg'.
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What is the meaning of the idiom wild goose chase?

Definition of wild-goose chase

: a complicated or lengthy and usually fruitless pursuit or search These errors had two fatal consequences. The most obvious was that a number of engines and dozens of firefighters were sent on a wild-goose chase and did not get to the fire for many minutes.—
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What does the idiom get the last laugh mean?

Definition of have/get the last laugh

: to succeed or win after being laughed at or doubted by others.
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What does IM on ice mean?

With a good chance of success, as in I'm sure she'll win—it's on ice. [ Slang; early 1900s]
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What does spilling the beans mean?

Disclose a secret or reveal something prematurely, as in You can count on little Carol to spill the beans about the surprise. In this colloquial expression, first recorded in 1919, spill means “divulge,” a usage dating from the 1500s.
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What is the meaning of can't cut the mustard?

To cut the mustard is “to reach or surpass the desired standard or performance” or more generally “to succeed, to have the ability to do something.” For instance, Beyoncé really cut the mustard in her new song.
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What does the idiom once in a blue moon mean?

To do something “once in a blue moon” is to do it very rarely: “That company puts on a good performance only once in a blue moon.” The phrase refers to the appearance of a second full moon within a calendar month, which actually happens about every thirty-two months.
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What does whale of time mean?

Definition of a whale of a time

informal. : a great time We had a whale of a time at the party.
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What is the meaning of the idiom to show the white feather?

Display cowardice, as in The minute Bob put up his fists, Bill showed the white feather and backed down. This expression comes from cockfighting, where a white feather in a bird's tail is considered a sign of inferior breeding. [ Early 1800s]
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What is the meaning of the idiom scot free?

Definition of get off scot-free

informal. : to not get the punishment that is deserved It's not fair. I was punished and they got off scot-free.
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What is the meaning of it is raining cats and dogs?

“Cats and dogs” may come from the Greek expression cata doxa, which means “contrary to experience or belief.” If it is raining cats and dogs, it is raining unusually or unbelievably hard.
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Is raining cats and dogs an idiom?

The English-language idiom "raining cats and dogs or raining dogs and cats" is used to describe particularly heavy rain. It is of unknown etymology and is not necessarily related to the raining animals phenomenon. The phrase (with "polecats" instead of "cats") has been used at least since the 17th century.
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What is an idiom 4th grade?

Idioms are word combinations that have a different figurative meaning than the literal meanings of each word or phrase. They can be confusing for kids or people learning a language as they don't mean what they say.
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What's another word for walking on eggshells?

A synonym for 'walking on eggshells' is 'walking on thin ice'.
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Has the last word meaning?

phrase. If someone has the last word or the final word in a discussion, argument, or disagreement, they are the one who wins it or who makes the final decision.
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What does the phrase a hole in one mean?

hole in one. A perfect achievement, as in Tim scored a hole in one on that test. The term alludes to a perfect stroke in golf, where one drives the ball from the tee into the hole with a single stroke. [
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What does a big cheese mean?

Meaning of big cheese in English

an important person in a company or an organization with a lot of influence: He left business school and became a big cheese in the City.
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