hang in the balance

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And for that reason, it carries real upside for TPS holders whose lives hang in the balance.

From Slate • Mar. 17, 2026

Six years later, Spain's fragile democracy appeared to hang in the balance for several hours as the coup attempt took place.

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

But given that free speech itself may hang in the balance, it’s at least worth a try.

From Salon • Nov. 30, 2025

“Because, respectfully, I cannot abide our repeated, gratuitous, and harmful interference with cases pending in the lower courts while lives hang in the balance, I dissent.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 3, 2025

Sometimes the outcome really does teeter and hang in the balance.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton