hang in the balance

hang in the balance
{v. phr.} To have two equally possible results; to be in doubt; be uncertain. * /Until Jim scored the winning touchdown, the outcome of the game hung in the balance./ * /She was very sick and her life hung in the balance for several days./ Compare: HANG BY A THREAD.

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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  • hang in the balance — If an outcome is hanging in the balance, there are at least two possibilities and it is impossible to predict which will win out …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • hang in the balance — hang by a thread or hang in the balance to be very likely to fail His career now hung by a thread …   English dictionary

  • hang in the balance — phrasal : to be doubtful or uncertain the prisoner s fate hangs in the balance * * * hang in the balance To be in doubt or suspense • • • Main Entry: ↑hang * * * be/hang/in the balance phrase if somethin …   Useful english dictionary

  • hang in the balance — be/hang in the balance if something hangs in the balance, no one knows whether it will continue to exist in the future or what will happen to it. Judd s career hung in the balance last night after his team lost their sixth successive game. The… …   New idioms dictionary

  • (hang) in the balance — (be/hang) in the ˈbalance idiom if the future of sth/sb, or the result of sth is/hangs in the balance, it is uncertain • The long term future of the space programme hangs in the balance. • Tom s life hung in the balance for two weeks as he lay in …   Useful english dictionary

  • hang in the balance — ► be (or hang) in the balance be in an uncertain or critical state. Main Entry: ↑balance …   English terms dictionary

  • hang in the balance — {v. phr.} To have two equally possible results; to be in doubt; be uncertain. * /Until Jim scored the winning touchdown, the outcome of the game hung in the balance./ * /She was very sick and her life hung in the balance for several days./… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • hang\ in\ the\ balance — v. phr. To have two equally possible results; to be in doubt; be uncertain. Until Jim scored the winning touchdown, the outcome of the game hung in the balance. She was very sick and her life hung in the balance for several days. Compare: hang by …   Словарь американских идиом

  • hang in the balance — to depend on something for success or continued existence. With thousands of jobs hanging in the balance, there s a lot of competition to attract new factories. Usage notes: sometimes used without hang: They don t think we should get involved,… …   New idioms dictionary

  • hang in the balance — have two equally possible results, be uncertain After the opposition party won the election whether or not the new highway will be built hangs in the balance …   Idioms and examples

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