brink of liquidation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brink of liquidation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a company or entity is on the verge of going bankrupt or being liquidated. Example: "After several poor financial quarters, the company found itself on the brink of liquidation, struggling to meet its obligations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The titans of Detroit were tottering on the brink of liquidation, threatening to collapse and take more than a million jobs with them.

The Economist

But the club overspent and, with liabilities at a then-scary £2 million, went careening back down the leagues and to the brink of liquidation.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Obama recalled that a year ago, with G.M. and Chrysler "on the brink of liquidation," he could either have provided another bailout without strings attached as the Bush administration did, or he could have given no help at all.

The New York Times

"How on earth was this guy living?" Ever since Sidley Austin started sifting through the wreckage of Webb's reign, startling discoveries of financial overspending and purely self-serving decision- making all contributed to sending Concacaf to the brink of liquidation.

The Guardian - Sport

Palace will be on the brink of liquidation if a 3pm deadline passes without the consortium trying to buy the club – CPFC 2010 – coming to an agreement with Bank of Scotland, a Lloyds subsidiary, over the sale of Selhurst Park.

The Guardian - Sport

James Gibson, a local businessman, once did it without fanfare when he bailed out the club while it was on the brink of liquidation between the wars, signed Sir Matt Busby and provided the means to install his Busby Babes policy.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Chicago is on the brink of elimination.

The New York Times - Sports

On the brink of elimination, it did.

The New York Times

The moment of liquidation is the essence of capitalism".

The New Yorker

We have a funny set of liquidation buyers.

The New York Times - Tech

The size of liquidation microphases is in the range 100 2000 Å.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brink of liquidation" when you want to highlight the precariousness of a financial situation, emphasizing the potential for total collapse. It adds a sense of urgency and seriousness to the description.

Common error

Avoid using "brink of liquidation" if the financial difficulties are temporary or manageable. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic. Ensure the situation genuinely warrants such a strong term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brink of liquidation" functions as a descriptive phrase that characterizes the state of a company or entity. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is used to describe situations where financial collapse is imminent. This phrase commonly modifies nouns such as "company", "organization", or "club".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "brink of liquidation" is a descriptive phrase used to indicate that a company or entity is very close to collapsing due to financial difficulties. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. This phrase has neutral tone and leans to the formal and it is commonly found in News & Media, but also in Science and Formal & Business contexts. While several alternatives exist, such as "verge of bankruptcy" or "edge of insolvency", "brink of liquidation" effectively communicates the urgency and severity of the situation. When employing this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the precarious state of the entity in question to avoid exaggeration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

verge of bankruptcy

Changes "brink of liquidation" to a more common and easily understandable term, focusing on bankruptcy.

edge of insolvency

Replaces "liquidation" with "insolvency", maintaining a formal tone while indicating financial distress.

close to collapse

Offers a less technical and more generally descriptive term for a situation nearing failure.

on the verge of failure

Replaces the financial term with a broader term "failure" that can apply to various contexts.

facing imminent closure

Emphasizes the threat of cessation of operations, using more direct language.

nearing financial ruin

Shifts focus to the disastrous financial consequences, using more dramatic language.

about to go under

Uses a colloquial expression to describe a business failing.

in danger of dissolving

Describes the possibility of a company ceasing to exist as a legal entity.

one step away from going bust

Another colloquial alternative, emphasizing the immediate risk of failure.

approaching the point of no return

Uses a more figurative expression to suggest that the situation is becoming irreversible.

FAQs

What does "brink of liquidation" mean?

The phrase "brink of liquidation" refers to a situation where a company or organization is extremely close to being liquidated, meaning its assets will be sold off to pay debts, and the business will cease to exist.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "brink of liquidation"?

It's appropriate to use "brink of liquidation" when describing a company or entity that is facing severe financial difficulties and is on the verge of closing down due to insolvency. It is a stronger statement than simply saying the company is having "financial problems".

What are some alternative phrases to "brink of liquidation"?

Some alternatives to "brink of liquidation" include "verge of bankruptcy", "edge of insolvency", "close to collapse", or "on the verge of failure". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "brink of liquidation" formal or informal language?

"Brink of liquidation" is considered relatively formal language, suitable for business reports, news articles, and professional communications. More informal alternatives might include "about to go under" or "one step away from going bust".