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Idioms

skate on thin ice

This page is about the idiom skate on thin ice

Meaning

If you're skating on thin ice, you're doing something risky, or you're in a situation that could quickly become dangerous.

For example

  • Don't you think you'll be skating on thin ice if you go to the U.S. without getting health insurance? Medical care is incredibly expensive there.

  • Kenny's skating on thin ice. He's already on parole, and yet he's still driving around without a licence.

Origin: Probably related to the fact that skating on an ice-covered lake can be very dangerous if the ice is thin in places. It could easily break under the weight of a person, and the person could fall into the ice-cold water and drown.

Quick Quiz

We'll be skating on thin ice if we go to the boss and

a. ask for another pay rise

b. give him a birthday present

c. tell him what a good boss he is
a) ask for another pay rise b) give him a birthday present c) tell him what a good boss he is

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Common English Idioms

Contributor: Matt Errey