hang in the balance

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And for that reason, it carries real upside for TPS holders whose lives hang in the balance.

From Slate • Mar. 17, 2026

“Because, respectfully, I cannot abide our repeated, gratuitous, and harmful interference with cases pending in the lower courts while lives hang in the balance, I dissent.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 3, 2025

Nasa's plans for such an endeavour hang in the balance because of the threatened budget cuts, but China is also pursuing a sample return mission that could launch in 2028.

From BBC • Sep. 10, 2025

Apart from China, duties for many other countries also hang in the balance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 29, 2025

Sometimes the outcome really does teeter and hang in the balance.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton