Patsy McCartle
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So literally, on thin ice means you are standing on ice that is too thin to support your weight (and you're most likely to fall through the ice). Idioms use figurative meanings of course—so on thin ice means being in a risky, dangerous or uncertain situation.
on thin ice. 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.
If you say that someone is on thin ice or is skating on thin ice, you mean that they are doing something risky which may have serious or unpleasant consequences. I had skated on thin ice and, so far, got away with it.
You can use "On Thin Ice" to describe a situation where someone is in a risky or dangerous position. It often implies that any misstep or mistake could have serious consequences. For example, if someone is close to losing their job, you might say, 'He knew he was "on thin ice" with his boss after missing the deadline.'
The idiom "on thin ice" is often used metaphorically to describe a situation where someone is in a precarious or risky position. It implies that the person is treading on unstable or dangerous ground and any misstep could lead to negative consequences.
To be doing something very risky or dangerous that could result in imminent disaster or ruin. I hope you realize that you'll be on thin ice if you decide to gamble your employees' retirement funds on such a dodgy investment. You're walking on thin ice by continuing to come in late. If the boss notices, you'll be fired.
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 .
