a razor-thin majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a razor-thin majority" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a very small or narrow majority in a vote or decision-making process. Example: "The bill passed with a razor-thin majority, highlighting the deep divisions within the committee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Netanyahu would go on to win the election with a razor-thin majority.

The Washington Post

But they have a razor-thin majority, and if anyone quits supporting the government, an election is imminent.

The New York Times

Ultimately, after an emotional and controversial campaign, the no vote won with a razor-thin majority of 50.58% to 49.42%.

The Guardian

The opposition coalition, including Pheu Thai and Future Forward, claimed on Wednesday that it would have a razor-thin majority in the House.

The New York Times

The GOP, which maintains a razor-thin majority in both houses, killed dozens of gun-safety bills in the legislative session that ended last month.

The Washington Post

With a razor-thin majority in Parliament and plummeting poll ratings, Mr. Schröder's grip on power is viewed as tenuous by political analysts here.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

But, united in grief, the chavistas rallied, cries of "We are all Chavez" rang through the streets of Caracas and, in the end, Maduro beat his rival, Henrique Capriles Radonski, by a razor thin majority of 1.5percentt.

Vice

He said he would work to broaden his untenable razor-thin majority, a tall order when he seems at the weakest in his long political career and as investors are eyeing Italy with increasing concern.

The New York Times

With the state's top three Democratic officeholders tainted by allegations and confessions, Republicans are making an aggressive push to defend their razor-thin majority in the General Assembly — the only state legislature in the country where control is up for grabs in the fall.

The Washington Post

If he does make it through the next few weeks or even months, Netanyahu faces a serious challenge given his coalition's razor-thin majority in Israel's parliament, the Knesset: 61 seats out of 120.

The Washington Post

Mr. Netanyahu cobbled together a coalition of parties to insure what ended up as his razor-thin majority in Parliament, but the small parties were able to hold votes on major issues hostage to their constituents' demands.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a razor-thin majority" to emphasize the precarious nature of a win or control, highlighting potential instability or vulnerability to challenges.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a razor-thin majority" automatically leads to complete gridlock or failure. While it presents challenges, effective leadership and compromise can still lead to progress.

Linguistic Context

Adjectival phrase modifying a noun. The phrase "a razor-thin majority" functions to describe the noun 'majority', indicating that the majority is very small. Ludwig provides examples of its use in describing election outcomes and parliamentary control.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a razor-thin majority" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a situation where the winning side barely surpasses the losing side. According to Ludwig AI, it is most frequently found in News & Media. To enhance your writing, consider using it to emphasize the precarious nature of a win and be mindful of overstating its implications. Alternatives such as "slim majority" or "narrow majority" can also be used to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slim majority

Emphasizes the small size of the majority.

narrow majority

Highlights the lack of a comfortable margin.

paper-thin majority

Suggests the majority is extremely fragile.

marginal majority

Indicates the majority is barely sufficient.

wafer-thin majority

Similar to paper-thin, emphasizing fragility.

knife-edge majority

Implies the majority is precarious and tense.

razor's edge victory

Shifts the focus to the victory being very close.

close-run thing

An idiomatic expression indicating a near defeat.

squeaky win

Suggests the victory was achieved with difficulty.

neck-and-neck

Describes a situation where the competition is very tight.

FAQs

How can I use "a razor-thin majority" in a sentence?

You can use "a razor-thin majority" to describe a situation where the winning side has barely more votes than the losing side. For example, "The bill passed with "a razor-thin majority", indicating strong opposition."

What are some synonyms for "a razor-thin majority"?

Alternatives to "a razor-thin majority" include "slim majority", "narrow majority", or "marginal majority".

Is it appropriate to use "a razor-thin majority" in formal writing?

Yes, "a razor-thin majority" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in news reporting and political analysis. It clearly conveys the closeness of the result.

What does it imply when a government has "a razor-thin majority"?

When a government has "a razor-thin majority", it implies that their position is unstable and that they need to secure every vote to pass legislation. It suggests a high risk of losing key votes and potentially facing a vote of no confidence.