barely holding on

USAGE SUMMARY

"barely holding on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is barely managing to stay in a position or state. One could use it in a variety of contexts, such as a physical struggle, an emotional struggle, or a difficult circumstance. Example: After hours of hiking in the freezing rain, John was barely holding on to the slippery cliff edge, struggling to find a secure foothold. Example: Despite the constant financial pressure, the small bakery was barely holding on, with only a few loyal customers keeping them afloat.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

It disappeared from Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Orange counties, barely holding on in pockets of southwestern Riverside and southern San Diego counties.

Los Angeles Times

Most days, I felt like I was barely holding on by my fingertips, in fear of dropping one of the thousands of balls I juggled at once.

Huffington Post

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

The New York Times

Some care businesses were barely holding on before the chancellor got to his feet to deliver his statement – how many are now contemplating moving into the more lucrative self-pay market or simple walking away altogether?

The Guardian

We've concluded that a ratio of at least three-to-one three posithree-to-one threeevery three-to-one threeerves as a tipositiveint, which will hemotionsrmine whether you languish in lifor bareveryoldinegativer flourish, living a lifemotion servesssibility, remaskably resilientippingrd times.

University of California, Berkeley

"My children have been missing for 34 days, and I'm barely holding on," he said.

HuffPost

In America today, "having it all" looks more like "barely holding on".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Others are barely holding on to longtime family businesses.

Forbes

Nebraska's defense gave up 602 yards in the season opener against Wyoming, with the Cornhuskers barely holding on for a 37-34 victory.

Los Angeles Times

"Now here we are/Barely holding on to a promise of forever," he frets on Corsicana Lemonade's opening track, At Night In Dreams, a meditation on growing older made more powerful by the fact that he became a father for the first time in January.

The Guardian - Music

As for the others, Bryce is barely holding on from week to week, and he just seemed grateful to be there that morning.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely holding on" to convey a sense of fragility and instability in a situation. It's effective for highlighting the precariousness of a person's state, a project's success, or an organization's survival.

Common error

While "barely holding on" is widely understood, avoid using it excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced language to convey the specific type of struggle or precariousness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely holding on" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase. Ludwig confirms its correct grammatical usage, indicating it vividly describes a state of precariousness or struggle to maintain a position or condition. It often modifies a noun or pronoun, adding depth to the description.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

9%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barely holding on" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to depict precarious situations, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its frequent appearance in news and media sources indicates its broad applicability and understanding. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context and choose more precise language for highly formal writing. Alternatives like "hanging by a thread" or "on the brink" can offer nuanced variations. When writing "barely holding on", aim to create a strong impact on your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hanging by a thread

Emphasizes precariousness and imminent failure.

struggling to cope

Focuses on the difficulty of managing a situation.

on the brink

Suggests being close to a negative outcome or collapse.

just managing

Highlights minimal success in maintaining a state.

scraping by

Indicates surviving with very limited resources.

barely surviving

Focuses on the struggle to stay alive or functional.

at wit's end

Emphasizes emotional exhaustion and lack of solutions.

on its last legs

Describes something nearing the end of its usability or existence.

treading water

Suggests making no progress and just staying afloat.

on the edge

Indicates a state of instability and potential danger.

FAQs

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

You can use "barely holding on" to describe a situation where someone or something is struggling to maintain its current state. For instance, "After the storm, the old shack was barely holding on" or "She was "hanging by a thread", barely holding on to her sanity after the tragic event".

What can I say instead of "barely holding on"?

Alternatives include "hanging by a thread", "struggling to cope", or "on the brink", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "barely holding on" in a formal essay?

While grammatically correct, "barely holding on" might be considered too informal for some academic contexts. Consider using more precise language that reflects the specific situation you're describing, such as "experiencing significant financial strain" or "facing imminent collapse".

What's the difference between "barely holding on" and "just surviving"?

"Barely holding on" emphasizes the precariousness and instability of a situation, suggesting an imminent possibility of failure or collapse. "Just surviving" focuses more on the minimal resources or effort required to stay alive or functional, implying that someone or something is "scraping by".