brink of war

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brink of war" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where conflict or war is imminent or very likely to occur. Example: "The negotiations have failed, and the country now stands on the brink of war."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The standoff took both countries to the brink of war.

The Guardian

"We're on the brink of war," he explains.

The Guardian - Film

Are India and Pakistan now on the brink of war?

The Guardian

Nevertheless, the Singapore Summit took the critical step away from the brink of war.

Stanford University

In June 1994 the United States went to the brink of war with North Korea.

Princeton University

Spain, 1931 is a politically divided nation and on the brink of war.

Stanford University

Four South Koreans were killed, and the peninsula suddenly seemed on the brink of war.

The New York Times

Yet again Northern Ireland appears to be on the brink of war.

The Economist

Earth, Mars and the Belt are now on the brink of war.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The film itself is a haunting brink-of-war drama.

The New York Times

Just about any international hiccup brought about brink-of-war discussions and endgame scenarios.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brink of war" to describe situations where diplomatic solutions have largely failed and military action is a distinct possibility. The phrase adds a sense of urgency and high stakes to the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "brink of war" to describe minor disputes or disagreements. The phrase implies a very serious and imminent threat of large-scale armed conflict.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brink of war" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a predicate nominative or within prepositional phrases. Ludwig AI confirms it's used to describe a state of imminent conflict. For example, 'The countries were on the "brink of war"'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brink of war" is a common expression used to describe a situation where armed conflict is imminent. Grammatically sound and widely used, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively conveys urgency and high stakes. While frequently found in news and media, it also appears in academic and encyclopedia contexts. Related phrases include "verge of war" and "on the edge of war". When using this phrase, ensure it reflects a genuine threat of large-scale conflict, avoiding overuse in minor disputes. Authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this expression to report on tense international situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

verge of war

Replaces "brink" with "verge", a synonym indicating a point close to the start of something.

on the edge of war

Uses "edge" instead of "brink", implying a precarious position before conflict.

close to war

Simplifies the phrase to indicate proximity to war without the metaphorical "brink".

on the point of war

Expresses the idea of being at the exact moment before the start of war.

facing war

Focuses on the act of confronting the possibility of war.

on the threshold of war

Uses "threshold" as a metaphor for the entrance to a state of war.

in danger of war

Highlights the peril and risk associated with the potential for war.

approaching war

Implies a movement towards a state of war.

teetering on the edge of conflict

Replaces "war" with the more general term "conflict", suggesting instability.

on a war footing

Describes preparations and readiness for war.

FAQs

How to use "brink of war" in a sentence?

You can use "brink of war" to describe a situation where countries or groups are very close to engaging in armed conflict. For example: "The two nations were on the "brink of war" after the border skirmishes."

What can I say instead of "brink of war"?

You can use alternatives like "verge of war", "on the edge of war", or "close to war" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "brink of war" or "brink of a war"?

"Brink of war" is the more common and idiomatic expression. "Brink of a war" is grammatically correct but less frequently used.

What's the difference between "brink of war" and "state of war"?

"Brink of war" describes a situation just before war starts, while "state of war" describes a situation where armed conflict is already ongoing.