on the edge of
idiom
: very close to (something)
a species on the edge of extinction
The company was teetering on the edge of disaster/bankruptcy.
He was on the edge of saying something when the phone rang.
Examples of on the edge of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
On a balcony, on the edge of the subway platform, while chopping an onion with a large, sharp knife.
—
Clare Sestanovich, New Yorker, 13 July 2025
The beach is a lovely place to camp out and wade while watching brave souls barrel-ride hundreds of feet across the sea, and it’s also conveniently located on the edge of the Puerto Viejo beach town, meaning there are plenty of amenities nearby, including the beloved Lazy Mon beach bar.
—AFAR Media, 11 July 2025
Hakimi’s low cutback picks out Mendes on the edge of the six-yard box, but Courtois saves the big chance with his feet.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Monterey Bay Aquarium In Monterey Bay, California Perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a world-class destination that opened in 1984 within a former sardine cannery.
—Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the edge of
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Clare Sestanovich, New Yorker, 13 July 2025
The beach is a lovely place to camp out and wade while watching brave souls barrel-ride hundreds of feet across the sea, and it’s also conveniently located on the edge of the Puerto Viejo beach town, meaning there are plenty of amenities nearby, including the beloved Lazy Mon beach bar.
—AFAR Media, 11 July 2025
Hakimi’s low cutback picks out Mendes on the edge of the six-yard box, but Courtois saves the big chance with his feet.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Monterey Bay Aquarium In Monterey Bay, California Perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a world-class destination that opened in 1984 within a former sardine cannery.
—Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the edge of
Cite this Entry
“On the edge of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20edge%20of. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share