barely holding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely holding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is just managing to remain in a certain state or condition, often implying instability or fragility. Example: "The old bridge is barely holding under the weight of the heavy traffic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It was barely holding.

The New Yorker

"In Afghanistan, democracy is barely holding on.

Stanford University

We are standing still and barely holding on.

The New York Times

The women of Kettering are only barely holding everything together.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

My body had been barely holding it together".

The Guardian

"We were barely holding on, afraid of getting washed overboard," Mr. Hertz said.

The New York Times

By that measure, housing was barely holding its own in the year ending in February.

The New York Times

His head was down and his shoulders were barely holding in something more.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

O'Neal barely held up.

The New York Times - Sports

He could barely hold the bat".

The New York Times - Sports

She could barely hold herself up.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely holding" to create a sense of urgency or emphasize the fragility of a situation. The phrase works well in both formal and informal contexts, but pay attention to the surrounding tone.

Common error

Avoid using "barely holding" as a default description when more precise language is available. For example, instead of saying "the company is barely holding on", specify the aspect that's struggling: "the company's profits are barely holding steady".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely holding" primarily functions as a descriptive modifier, often used with a verb to indicate the state or condition of something. Ludwig's examples reveal its use in describing fragile states and tenuous situations. Ludwig AI confirms that its use is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "barely holding" is a versatile and frequently used expression to describe something in a precarious state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and its usage spans across diverse contexts, with the most common being in news and media. When considering alternatives, phrases like "scarcely maintaining" or "tenuously clinging" can offer similar meanings, although their register or emphasis may vary. While effective in creating urgency and highlighting fragility, avoid overusing the phrase by opting for more precise language when possible. The numerous examples provided by Ludwig showcase its application in various scenarios, reinforcing its relevance and adaptability in written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcely maintaining

Emphasizes the difficulty in keeping something at a certain level or standard.

narrowly sustaining

Highlights the minimal margin by which something is being supported or kept alive.

tenuously clinging

Suggests a fragile and uncertain grip on something.

just managing

Focuses on the effort required to achieve a minimal level of success or survival.

hardly coping

Implies difficulty in dealing with a situation or challenge.

on the verge of collapse

Indicates that something is extremely close to failing or breaking down.

hanging by a thread

Suggests that a situation is precarious and could easily fail.

in a precarious state

Describes a situation that is unstable and could easily worsen.

fighting to stay afloat

Focuses on the struggle to avoid failure or ruin, especially in a financial context.

barely surviving

Emphasizes the minimal level of success in staying alive or functional.

FAQs

What does it mean to say something is "barely holding"?

When something is described as "barely holding", it suggests that it's in a precarious state, close to failing or collapsing. It implies a struggle to maintain its current condition.

How can I use "barely holding" in a sentence?

You can use "barely holding" to describe situations where something is struggling to remain stable, such as "The old bridge was "barely holding under the weight" of the traffic" or "After the market crash, many businesses were "barely holding onto their profits"".

What's a more formal way to say "barely holding"?

More formal alternatives to "barely holding" include phrases like "scarcely maintaining", "narrowly sustaining", or "tenuously clinging", which emphasize the minimal margin of success or stability.

Is "barely holding on" different from "barely holding"?

The phrases "barely holding" and "barely holding on" are often used interchangeably. However, "barely holding on" might emphasize a more active effort to maintain stability, while "barely holding" can describe a passive state of near collapse.