at a hinge of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a hinge of" is not commonly used in written English and may be confusing without context.
It could be used metaphorically to describe a pivotal point or moment in a situation or argument. Example: "The decision to invest in renewable energy is at a hinge of our company's future direction."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

We're at a hinge of history.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The pigs are split down the backbone an laid out flat, connected by a hinge of skin at the belly, before being arranged in the pits.

The Guardian - Travel

Its introduction in the 1870s of large-frame "break-top" revolvers ("breaking" the revolver at a hinge in front of the trigger guard exposed the rear of the cylinder) that fired more-potent cartridges created business in the American West and around the world.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's set at a specific hinge of history: the day of the German surrender, with the Communist assumption of power well under way.

The New Yorker

The interaction of element forces at a hinge and the possibility of elastic unloading are taken into account.

Computers & Structures

Off pathway, translocation incurs a slight thermodynamic cost because of flipping of the position of Tyr639 located at a hinge at the C-terminal end of the O helix.

Chemical Reviews

Those pistols featured completely bored-through cylinder chambers that were accessed by "tipping" the barrel up at a hinge at the front of the top strap and fired self-contained metallic cartridges the original.22 rimfire of Smith and Wesson's own design.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The U.S.-China relationship is at a "hinge moment" following the election of Donald Trump as president, President Xi Jinping said Saturday.

Los Angeles Times

Less than two weeks ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping sat across from President Obama at an economic summit in Peru and declared that the U.S.-China relationship was at a "hinge moment" following the election of Trump.

Los Angeles Times

And yes, you do get the sense here of being at a hinge point, in a place where history is being made while we watch.

TechCrunch

c, Polypeptide synthesis necessitates displacement of the NTE at a hinge region around G64.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "at a hinge of", ensure the context clearly indicates a pivotal moment or turning point. It often implies that subsequent events will be significantly influenced by the current situation.

Common error

Avoid using "at a hinge of" when describing routine situations or minor adjustments. Reserve it for moments of genuine significance and potential transformation; otherwise, consider alternatives like "at a point of" or "during a phase of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a hinge of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate a specific point in time or a critical juncture. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is acceptable but not frequently used. The examples show its use in describing historical, political, and even biological turning points.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a hinge of" signifies a critical turning point, a moment where significant changes are imminent. While grammatically sound, as indicated by Ludwig, its usage is relatively rare, making it crucial to employ it judiciously. It's most commonly found in news, scientific contexts, and encyclopedias. To ensure clarity and impact, reserve it for situations genuinely representing a pivotal shift. When in doubt, consider more common alternatives like "at a turning point of" or "at a critical juncture of". Ludwig AI suggests that, while acceptable, careful consideration of context is key to effectively using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a turning point of

Replaces "hinge" with "turning point", emphasizing a moment of significant change or decision.

at a critical juncture of

Substitutes "hinge" with "critical juncture", highlighting the importance and decisiveness of the moment.

at a pivotal moment in

Emphasizes the significance of the timing by using "pivotal moment".

at a crossroads of

Indicates a situation where a choice between different paths or directions must be made.

at a key point in

Replaces "hinge" with "key point", focusing on the essential and vital aspect of the moment.

on the cusp of

Indicates being on the edge or threshold of a significant change or development.

in a transitional phase of

Highlights the process of change and transformation rather than a single point.

during a transformative period of

Focuses on a longer duration of change and its profound impact.

in a state of flux regarding

Implies a more uncertain and fluid situation where things are constantly changing.

facing a decisive stage in

Underscores the importance of the current stage for making critical decisions.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "at a hinge of" something?

Being "at a hinge of" something means being at a critical turning point or a pivotal moment where significant changes or decisions are about to occur. It suggests that what follows will be greatly influenced by the current situation.

What can I say instead of "at a hinge of"?

You can use alternatives like "at a turning point of", "at a critical juncture of", or "at a pivotal moment in" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "at a hinge point of" instead of "at a hinge of"?

While "at a hinge point of" is understandable, "at a hinge of" is the more concise and commonly accepted form when describing a pivotal moment. "Hinge point" can be used in more literal contexts, like describing a mechanical hinge.

How do I use "at a hinge of" in a sentence?

Use "at a hinge of" to describe a situation that's critical. For example: "The company's decision on this merger is at a turning point of its future growth."