brink of the table

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brink of the table" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning.
It could be used in a context where you are describing something that is at the edge or limit of a table, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The papers were piled precariously at the brink of the table, threatening to fall off."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most likely, as several other BEL Survey statements teetered on the brink of statistical significance (Table 9) but only statement 20 crossed the line at the p <.05 level of significance.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Adelson pushed his chips to the center of the table, keeping his nerve even as his company teetered on the brink of bankruptcy in late 2008.

Huffington Post

Thirty years later, at Jacob's kitchen table, the night after Isaac was buried, they were still on the brink of the enclosure.

The New Yorker

The other three candidates -- all teetering on the brink of demotion to the kids' table -- are all tied for an overall sixth place in the Republican race, at 3.0percentt.

Huffington Post

Dalglish has transformed Liverpool's campaign, taking them from mid-table in January to the brink of qualifying for the Europa League.

BBC

A peripheral blood sample (10 15 mL) was obtained from 2 patients on the brink of surgery and from 4 healthy donors (Table 1).

BMC Cancer

Ontario is on the brink of implementing regionalised health care in the form of fourteen Local Health Integration Networks (or LHINs) [ 19].

BMC Medical Ethics

Are the funds on the brink of disaster?

The Economist

He found the organization on the brink of disaster.

The New Yorker

From the ecological standpoint, obtaining bile from wild or farmed bears undoubtedly endangers the species to the brink of extinction.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Barnet consolidated their position at the top of the Conference table with victory at Dartford, who are now on the brink of relegation.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "brink of the table", opt for more common phrases like "edge of the table" or "verge of the table" for clarity and better understanding.

Common error

Refrain from using "brink of the table" in formal writing or contexts where clarity is crucial, as it may not be universally understood. It's better to use more standard phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brink of the table" functions as a noun phrase, attempting to describe a location or state of being near the edge of a table. However, due to its uncommon usage and potential for misinterpretation, its effectiveness is limited, as indicated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "brink of the table" is an uncommon and potentially confusing way to describe something near the edge of a table. Ludwig suggests that this phrase may not convey a clear meaning due to its infrequent usage. For improved clarity, it is advisable to use alternatives such as "edge of the table" or "verge of the table". As indicated by Ludwig, simpler phrasing will help ensure better communication and reduce ambiguity. Given the lack of real-world examples and Ludwig's analysis, it is best to avoid using this phrase in formal writing or situations where clarity is paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

table's edge

A concise way of saying the same thing, focusing on the table's boundary.

edge of the table

Replaces "brink" with "edge" for a more common and easily understood description of a table's boundary.

verge of the table

Uses "verge" instead of "brink", indicating a point close to the table's edge.

border of the table

Substitutes "brink" with "border", suggesting the outer limit of the table.

close to the table's edge

Emphasizes the proximity to the edge, providing a more descriptive phrase.

side of the table

A more general term, indicating proximity to a table's side without necessarily implying an edge.

at the table's limit

Highlights the extremity or furthest point of the table's surface.

lip of the table

Describes the outermost edge or rim of the table.

near the table's boundary

Indicates a position close to the table's outer limit.

perimeter of the table

Refers to the entire boundary around the table.

FAQs

What does "brink of the table" mean?

The phrase "brink of the table" is not commonly used and might refer to the edge or border of the table, implying something is close to falling off or reaching a limit. More common alternatives like "edge of the table" or "verge of the table" are more easily understood.

How can I rephrase "brink of the table" for better clarity?

To ensure clarity, replace "brink of the table" with phrases such as "edge of the table", "verge of the table", or "side of the table". These alternatives provide a more direct and commonly recognized description.

In what situations is it best to avoid using "brink of the table"?

It's best to avoid "brink of the table" in formal writing, technical descriptions, or any context where precise language is essential. Simpler and more widely understood phrases will prevent confusion.

Are there specific contexts where "brink of the table" might be appropriate?

While not generally recommended, "brink of the table" might be used in creative writing to evoke a specific image, but even then, alternatives like "table's edge" would often provide a clearer and more effective description.