back from the brink

USAGE SUMMARY

'back from the brink' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to refer to something that was close to total destruction or failure, but then managed to recover. For example, you could say, "Thanks to a new investment, the company was brought back from the brink of bankruptcy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Back from the brink.

Independent

"Turkey has pulled back from the brink.

The Economist

Pelecanos pulls back from the brink.

The New York Times - Books

He came back from the brink".

The New York Times

The two must step back from the brink.

The New York Times

But the general stepped back from the brink.

The Economist

Mr. Netanyahu must step back from the brink.

The New York Times

Italy has pulled back from the brink — slightly.

The New York Times

Time and again he has pulled back from the brink.

The Economist

Now you're back from the brink and feeling refreshed.

The New Yorker

Can it be brought back from the brink of extinction?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "back from the brink" to describe situations where a negative outcome seemed almost certain, but was ultimately avoided. For instance, "The company's innovative strategy brought it back from the brink of bankruptcy".

Common error

Avoid using "back from the brink" for minor setbacks or easily recoverable situations. This phrase is best reserved for scenarios that genuinely involved a high risk of failure or destruction. For example, using it for a small project delay would be an overstatement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back from the brink" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, describing how an entity (person, organization, country, etc.) has managed to avoid a disastrous outcome. As Ludwig AI explains, it highlights a successful recovery from a near-catastrophic situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

11%

Science

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "back from the brink" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase to describe a situation that has narrowly avoided disaster. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, though it is most frequently found in news and media, with a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the severity of the situation to avoid overstatement. Alternatives such as "saved from disaster" or "rescued from the edge" can offer similar meanings with slightly different emphasis. Remember the phrase’s impact is strongest when applied to genuinely critical scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recovered from near collapse

Highlights the recovery aspect, specifying the condition as being close to collapse.

rebounded from critical condition

Focuses on the rebound or recovery aspect, implying a return from a severely weakened state.

rescued from the edge

Emphasizes the rescue aspect, replacing "brink" with "edge" to denote a similar point of danger.

returned from the verge of ruin

Replaces "brink" with "verge", emphasizing the return from a state close to ruin.

saved from disaster

Focuses on the act of saving, highlighting the rescue from a negative outcome rather than the nearness of it.

salvaged from potential destruction

Emphasizes the act of salvaging, highlighting the rescue from a destructive scenario.

escaped total failure

Directly states the avoidance of complete failure, focusing on the escape rather than the precarious situation.

averted catastrophe

Shifts the focus to preventing a catastrophic event, implying a successful avoidance of extreme negative consequences.

snatched from the jaws of defeat

Uses a more figurative expression to convey the narrow escape from defeat.

withdrew from the point of no return

Highlights the act of retreating or withdrawing from a point where reversal would have been impossible.

FAQs

How can I use "back from the brink" in a sentence?

You can use "back from the brink" to describe situations where something was close to disaster but managed to recover. For example: "The team's last-minute goal brought them "back from the brink" of defeat."

What's a similar phrase to "back from the brink"?

Alternatives to "back from the brink" include "saved from disaster", "rescued from the edge", or "averted catastrophe". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "back from the brink" in formal writing?

Yes, "back from the brink" is suitable for formal writing, especially in news reports or business analyses. It clearly conveys the severity of a situation and its subsequent recovery.

What kind of situations is "back from the brink" best used to describe?

"Back from the brink" is best used for situations involving high stakes and near-failure. Think of scenarios involving financial collapse, environmental disasters, or critical political standoffs.