over that cliff

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "over that cliff" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, often metaphorically, to describe a situation where someone is taking a risk or making a decision that could lead to negative consequences. Example: "If we continue to ignore the warning signs, we might just go over that cliff without realizing it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The fact that if it were to stumble backward over that cliff both the Israelis and Palestinians would suffer grievously gives this sixty day deadline a chance.

Huffington Post

To tempt workers over that cliff, firms have to pay a premium fumes subsidies and the like.

The Economist

Between 15 to 28 of California's 58 county courts could go over that cliff in the coming year, she thinks.In this section The feeblest branch An extra-large row The shape of things to come The ravages of time Shackled again Counting the missing Go with the flow Last orders Open goal, useless strikers ReprintsHow does a court go over the cliff?

The Economist

Just a lot of endless, tedious negotiations … Rarely has a metaphor seemed more inappropriate: the US hurtled towards a cliff, then briefly hurtled over that cliff – and yet the whole experience was marginally less interesting than, say, regrouting the tiles in your bathroom.

The Guardian - Opinion

"She shoved them over that cliff".

Los Angeles Times

Have we already gone over that cliff?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Curiously, however, a recent poll found that 47 percent of the public thought that it was going over the "cliff" that would result in higher deficits.

The New York Times

Whoever wins the election on Tuesday might even inherit an accelerating economy in 2013, if (and that is a big if) Congress is able to smooth over that pesky fiscal cliff in the few weeks after the election.

The New York Times

But when you're dealing with House Republicans, who could have very easily passed a tax cut bill after going over the cliff that ignored EITC or unemployment insurance, or even set the tax threshold at $500,000 and dared Democrats in the Senate to block it, I find it very difficult to criticize the president too harshly.

The Guardian - Opinion

The hope is that if the two parties can agree on a plan to cut the federal deficit in the long run, then we can avoid the plunge into austerity that going over the cliff would represent — a plunge that a Congressional Budget Office report issued on Thursday estimated would send the economy back into recession and unemployment up above nine per cent.

The New Yorker

Schumer added that Biden essentially argued that going over the cliff "would be devastating," and he "was very persuasive, but he did not have to do much convincing".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "over that cliff" when you want to emphasize the potential negative consequences of a decision or action, particularly in situations where the risks are significant and the outcome is uncertain.

Common error

Avoid using "over that cliff" in literal contexts. The strength of the phrase lies in its metaphorical representation of a critical turning point or potential disaster.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over that cliff" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used adverbially to modify a verb, describing the direction or outcome of an action. It carries a strong metaphorical sense of impending danger or irreversible negative consequences. Ludwig confirms its accurate and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "over that cliff" is a prepositional phrase functioning metaphorically to denote a point of no return or an impending disaster. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, especially within News & Media. While versatile, it's crucial to maintain the metaphorical context to prevent misinterpretation. Consider alternatives like "past the point of no return" for nuanced expression. This phrase, according to Ludwig, serves as a caution, highlighting the potential negative consequences of a decision or action, rather than a literal description of location.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

past the point of no return

This alternative signifies a situation where reversing course is no longer possible, emphasizing the finality of the decision or action.

headed for disaster

This alternative emphasizes the impending negative outcome, highlighting the potential for catastrophe.

at the brink

This alternative suggests being on the verge of a dangerous or critical situation, focusing on the imminence of the event.

on the verge of collapse

This alternative specifically implies that something is about to fail or break down completely.

playing with fire

This alternative suggests engaging in a dangerous activity that could have serious consequences.

beyond the pale

This alternative describes something unacceptable or outside the bounds of morality or good behavior.

staring into the abyss

This alternative evokes a sense of facing a dark, uncertain future or contemplating something profound and potentially frightening.

skating on thin ice

This alternative indicates a risky situation where one wrong move could lead to trouble.

walking a tightrope

This alternative means being in a risky situation where one must be very careful.

tempting fate

This alternative signifies taking unnecessary risks or actions that could lead to bad luck or misfortune.

FAQs

How can I use "over that cliff" in a sentence?

The phrase "over that cliff" is often used to describe a situation where someone is taking a risk or making a decision that could lead to negative consequences. For example: "If we continue with these policies, we're going to go "over that cliff"."

What is a similar expression to "over that cliff"?

Similar expressions include "over the edge", "into the abyss", or "past the point of no return", all suggesting a dangerous or irreversible transition.

Is it appropriate to use "over that cliff" in formal writing?

While "over that cliff" is widely understood, it's generally more appropriate for informal or journalistic writing. Formal contexts may benefit from a more precise or literal description of the risk involved.

What does "fiscal cliff" mean in economics?

The term "fiscal cliff" refers to a situation where a country faces a combination of expiring tax cuts and government spending cuts, which could lead to a sudden decrease in economic growth.