edge of success

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "edge of success" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is very close to achieving success or reaching their goals. Example: "After years of hard work and dedication, she finally felt she was on the edge of success with her new business venture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The story of the Pierces has been well-documented: two sisters from Alabama wrote and performed a kind of agreeable folk-pop, and languished for many years on the edge of success until, just as they were on the brink of giving it all up, they found themselves taken under the wing of Guy Berryman from Coldplay, who produced their 2011 record You & I, which duly reached No 4 in the UK album charts.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A few are dancing at the edges of success, but most are circling it at a more distant orbit.

The New York Times

In a review of her new HBO special We Are Miracles, Lowry wrote that Silverman (who has 4.8m Twitter followers) has only "frittered around the edges of breakout success … Despite all manner of career-friendly gifts – from her looks to solid acting chops – she's limited herself by appearing determined to prove she can be as dirty and distasteful as the boys".

The Guardian

The warning signs creeping on the edge of the Nets' success this season have sounded like blaring alarms in the past two games.

The New York Times - Sports

In maths just 12% did.Nokubonga Ralayo, a 20-year-old university student from Khayelitsha, a vast black township on the edge of Cape Town, says success comes down to being able to afford a better school.

The Economist

They're one of those Brooklyn bands who for a while now have been hovering right on the edge of enormous mainstream success, part of the "Dark Was the Night" and "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry" cool kids' lunch table, along with the Dessner brothers and Sharon Van Etten and all the other people who either play with or have opened for The National ..

Vice

Edge cited Randy Orton's lack of success after being kicked out of Evolution by Triple H and DX's "stale" antics "taking up TV time" as reasons to join forces.

Wikipedia

Keeping up to speed with the latest laws and changes in technological approaches will give you an edge and elevate your chances of success as a lawyer.

WikiHow

C.K. joined in: "Let me get that unalterable edge of anger impervious to success off you".

The New Yorker

Yet it was a massive­ success: Edge of Darkness ­(pictured below) was originally shown on BBC2; the schedules were then cleared to allow an immediate repeat on BBC1.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

That is where Western developers with a track record of success have the edge.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "edge of success" to convey that someone or something is very close to achieving a desired outcome or goal. It implies a sense of anticipation and potential.

Common error

Avoid using "edge of success" when referring to ongoing or guaranteed success. The phrase implies a precarious position right before achievement, not sustained accomplishment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "edge of success" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its proximity to achieving success. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "edge of success" is a prepositional phrase used to describe a state of being very close to achieving a goal. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing, showing it appears frequently in news and media contexts. The phrase conveys anticipation and proximity to accomplishment, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. While "edge of success" is widely accepted, users can consider alternatives such as "verge of success" or "cusp of success" for nuanced expression. The phrase is best used to denote a moment right before achievement, rather than guaranteed success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cusp of success

Replaces 'edge' with 'cusp', implying a turning point or imminent moment of achievement.

verge of success

Substitutes 'edge' with 'verge', denoting an immediate proximity to success.

threshold of success

Uses 'threshold' instead of 'edge', suggesting a boundary that, once crossed, leads to success.

brink of success

Employs 'brink' in place of 'edge', conveying the idea of being on the very point of reaching success.

point of achieving success

Replaces 'edge of' with 'point of achieving', focusing on the act of attaining success.

on the highway to success

Changes the metaphor to a 'highway', suggesting a path leading directly to success.

close to success

Simplifies the phrase to indicate a state of nearness to success.

near success

A more concise way of saying close to success with a stronger proximity.

within reach of success

Indicates that success is attainable and nearby.

approaching success

Focuses on the process of getting closer to success.

FAQs

What does "edge of success" mean?

The phrase "edge of success" signifies being very close to achieving a goal or desired outcome, implying a crucial moment before accomplishment.

How can I use "edge of success" in a sentence?

You can use "edge of success" to describe a situation where someone is about to achieve something significant, such as: "After years of development, the company felt it was on the "cusp of" success with its innovative product."

What are some alternatives to "edge of success"?

Alternatives to "edge of success" include "verge of success", "brink of success", or "threshold of success", each suggesting a similar state of nearness to achievement.

Is "edge of success" a formal or informal expression?

"Edge of success" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "cusp of success" or "threshold of success" depending on the specific nuance desired.