走钢丝

走鋼絲

zǒugāngsī

phrase #27,971

Meanings

1 to walk a tightrope
2 to take a risky balancing act (literal and figurative)

Characters

silk thread; wire

Examples

杂技演员在高空走钢丝，让观众屏息凝神。

Zájì yǎnyuán zài gāokōng zǒu gāngsī, ràng guānzhòng bǐng xī níng shén.

The acrobat walked the tightrope high above, holding the audience breathless.

谈判代表在两国之间走钢丝，力求达成共识。

Tánpàn dàibiǎo zài liǎng guó zhījiān zǒu gāngsī, lìqiú dáchéng gòngshí.

The negotiators walked a tightrope between the two countries, striving to reach a consensus.

Tips

usage

走钢丝 is used literally (tightrope walking in a circus act) and figuratively to describe any situation where someone must maintain a delicate and precarious balance, such as in diplomacy or office politics.

Stroke Order

走 zǒu

钢 gāng

丝 sī