barely hanging on

USAGE SUMMARY

"barely hanging on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to convey that something is barely managing to stay alive, or is about to fall apart. For example, "I am barely hanging on to my sanity after working this long week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm barely hanging on," one driver lamented.

The New York Times

Companies that were barely hanging on would have gone broke.

The New York Times

"At four, you're still in it, but you're barely hanging on," Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis said.

The New York Times - Sports

"We're just barely hanging on," said Mr. Canizales, a 35-year employee of Freeport-McMoRan.

The New York Times

"We are barely hanging on," said Julius A. Collins Jr., who bought a house last year in Ellenville, N.Y.

The New York Times

What was still barely hanging on was a sense of collective ownership, a result of employees having most of their money reinvested in the firm.

The Guardian

Some are barely hanging on by a thread — literally.

Los Angeles Times

"Our children, they're just barely hanging on," Newell remembers the women saying.

HuffPost

"It was barely hanging on by a thread," the witness went on.

Vice

We are now in an economy where a lot of people who were barely hanging on will get closer to the edge.

Huffington Post

Corporate profits last quarter were the highest ever recorded, and yet American workers still languish, barely hanging on to uncertain unemployment extensions.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely hanging on" to describe situations or entities that are facing significant challenges and are on the verge of failure. It effectively conveys a sense of desperation and fragility.

Common error

Avoid using "barely hanging on" in highly formal or academic writing. While acceptable in news and general contexts, it may sound too informal or emotive for scholarly work. Consider more neutral alternatives like "experiencing instability" or "facing challenges" for such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely hanging on" functions as a descriptive phrase, often acting as an adjective modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes a state of precarity or near collapse. Ludwig examples show it used to describe businesses, individuals, and even abstract concepts like sanity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Sports

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barely hanging on" is a versatile phrase used to depict a precarious state, often implying a struggle to maintain stability. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in academic contexts. The phrase effectively communicates vulnerability and impending failure, making it a potent descriptor in various situations. Related phrases such as "just holding on" and "on the brink" offer similar connotations, depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just holding on

Emphasizes the act of holding on, omitting the qualifier of 'barely'.

hanging by a thread

Uses a metaphor to illustrate a precarious state, suggesting a single point of failure.

barely managing

Focuses on the act of managing a situation, implying minimal success.

barely afloat

Conveys the idea of managing to stay above water, often financially.

barely surviving

Highlights the idea of staying alive or functional under difficult circumstances.

at the breaking point

Focuses on reaching the limit of endurance or stability.

on the brink

Suggests being very close to a negative outcome or failure.

in a precarious situation

Directly states the instability of the circumstances.

on thin ice

Implies a risky situation where a misstep could lead to trouble.

tenuous

Highlights the quality of being fragile or poorly supported.

FAQs

How can I use "barely hanging on" in a sentence?

You can use "barely hanging on" to describe a situation where someone or something is struggling to survive or maintain its position. For example, "After the economic downturn, many small businesses were "barely hanging on"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "barely hanging on"?

Alternatives include "just holding on", "barely managing", or "on the brink". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "barely hanging on" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "barely hanging on" might be too informal for academic or highly professional contexts. Consider using alternatives like "experiencing instability" or "facing significant challenges".

What does it mean when something is described as "barely hanging on"?

It means that the entity in question is in a precarious situation, close to failing or collapsing. It suggests a state of minimal stability and significant vulnerability.