tightrope

[tahyt-rohp]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a rope or wire cable, stretched tight, on which acrobats perform feats of balancing.

verb (used without object)

tightroped, tightroping

to walk, move, or proceed on or as on a tightrope.
He tightroped through enemy territory.

verb (used with object)

tightroped, tightroping

to make (one's way, course, etc.) on or as on a tightrope.

tightrope

/ ˈ�ٲ�ɪ��ˌ��əʊ�� /

noun

a rope or cable stretched taut above the ground on which acrobats walk or perform balancing feats
to be in a difficult situation that demands careful and considered behaviour

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of tightrope¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; tight + rope

Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

see walk a tightrope.

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“Arthur was a quiet leader walking a tightrope between a traditionally white sport and the black community.”

From

It was all pretty scary stuff for a pitching staff working on such a precarious tightrope.

From

So which clubs will be able to splash the cash this summer as they seek to reinforce their squads, and who is running a profit and sustainability rule tightrope?

From

"The King has long experience and great skill in walking that diplomatic tightrope," says a royal source.

From

It's another example of the narrow tightrope prime ministers have historically been forced to walk on this issue.

From

tight-mouthed tightrope walker

Browse