brink of failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'brink of failure' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to describe a situation in which something is very close to failing or has nearly failed. Example: The company was on the brink of failure after it lost its largest client.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A huge coal miners' pension plan is on the brink of failure.

The Washington Post

The consortium, GUPC, said the endeavour was on "the brink of failure".

The Economist

The payments weakened the insurer's financial position significantly and brought it to the brink of failure.

The New York Times

"Libya is teetering on the brink of failure," said Sarah Lean Whitson of Human Rights Watch.

The Guardian

There are a number of strategies you can use to bring the deal back from the brink of failure.

Harvard University

What we are witnessing is not the end of food but a market on the brink of failure.

The New Yorker

The government rescued Freddie Mac and its sibling company, Fannie Mae, from the brink of failure nearly two years ago.

The New York Times

In the summer of 2008, as WaMu teetered on the brink of failure, the two regulators still could not agree.

The New York Times

Over that time, he'd brought the company back from the brink of failure and built it into one of the United States' largest health insurers.

Harvard Business Review

The Government, reporting the incident, accused the mission of "desecrating the graves of Congolese citizens," and once again, the investigation stood on the brink of failure.

The New York Times

American International Group, the Manhattan-based insurance giant, was on the brink of failure before receiving an $85 billion lifeline from the federal government this week.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "brink of failure", ensure the subject genuinely faces imminent collapse or cessation. Avoid using it for minor setbacks or temporary difficulties.

Common error

Avoid using "brink of failure" when a situation is merely challenging but not immediately threatened with collapse. Overusing it dilutes its impact and misrepresents the actual severity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brink of failure" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a prepositional complement (e.g., "on the brink of failure"). Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brink of failure" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe situations nearing collapse. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage. Predominantly found in news and media, it effectively communicates imminence and precariousness. Related phrases such as "risk of failure" and "cusp of failure" offer nuanced alternatives. When employing this phrase, ensure the subject genuinely faces imminent collapse to avoid diluting its impact. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable across diverse contexts, from academic discussions to business reports.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doorstep of failure

This alternative is a metaphor indicating proximity to failure, similar to "brink of failure".

cusp of failure

Shares the same meaning and nuance than "brink of failure" but "cusp" can be used with more abstract concepts.

brink of collapse

Identical meaning, it focuses on an event happening as a consequence of weakness or external events.

brink of defeat

Similar to "brink of failure" but emphasizes the competition and the possibility of being beaten.

risk of failure

This alternative highlights the possibility of failure, focusing on the potential outcome rather than the current state.

crisis of failure

This emphasizes the severity of the situation, suggesting that failure is imminent and impactful.

point of failure

This alternative refers to the specific stage or aspect where failure is most likely to occur.

path of failure

This suggests a trajectory leading toward failure, emphasizing the progression of events.

extent of failure

Instead of the imminence, this highlights the potential magnitude of the failure.

abyss of failure

This alternative uses a stronger metaphor to convey the depth and severity of potential failure.

FAQs

How can I use "brink of failure" in a sentence?

You can use "brink of failure" to describe situations that are very close to collapsing. For instance: "The company was on the brink of failure due to poor management."

What's the difference between "brink of failure" and "risk of failure"?

"Brink of failure" indicates a situation is already very close to failing, while "risk of failure" suggests there's a possibility of failure but it's not necessarily imminent.

Which phrase is more formal, "brink of failure" or "doorstep of failure"?

"Brink of failure" and "doorstep of failure" are similarly formal. Both are suitable for most professional and academic contexts.

Are there any synonyms for "brink of failure"?

Yes, some synonyms for "brink of failure" are "cusp of failure", "verge of failure", and "edge of failure".