Significado
To be in a dangerous, risky, or precarious situation.
Contexto cultural
In Spain, this phrase is ubiquitous in sports newspapers like MARCA or AS. The 'entrenador en la cuerda floja' is a weekly trope during the football season. In Mexico, it's often used in political discourse regarding the 'presupuesto' (budget) or the stability of local governments. Argentines might use it with 'andar' more frequently, reflecting a more dynamic sense of the ongoing economic challenges. In Colombia, it's common in the context of 'paz' (peace) negotiations or social stability.
Use it for Drama
This phrase is great for adding drama to your stories. Instead of saying 'I have a problem', say 'I'm on the tightrope!'
Don't change the gender
Even if you are a man, it's 'la cuerda floja'. The gender refers to the rope, not you.
Significado
To be in a dangerous, risky, or precarious situation.
Use it for Drama
This phrase is great for adding drama to your stories. Instead of saying 'I have a problem', say 'I'm on the tightrope!'
Don't change the gender
Even if you are a man, it's 'la cuerda floja'. The gender refers to the rope, not you.
Combine with 'poner'
Use 'poner a alguien en la cuerda floja' to describe someone who is making your life difficult.
Teste-se
Completa la frase con la forma correcta del verbo 'estar'.
Si no estudias para el examen, tú _______ en la cuerda floja.
We use 'estar' for states and 'tú' requires the 'estás' form.
¿Cuál es el significado de 'estar en la cuerda floja'?
El jefe me dijo que estoy en la cuerda floja.
The idiom refers to a risky or precarious situation, usually involving the threat of loss.
Empareja la situación con la frase.
Situaciones de riesgo
All these scenarios involve instability and potential failure.
Completa el diálogo.
A: ¿Cómo va el proyecto? B: Mal, el cliente no tiene dinero. El proyecto ________.
This is the standard idiom to describe a project at risk.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosSi no estudias para el examen, tú _______ en la cuerda floja.
We use 'estar' for states and 'tú' requires the 'estás' form.
El jefe me dijo que estoy en la cuerda floja.
The idiom refers to a risky or precarious situation, usually involving the threat of loss.
Combine cada item a esquerda com seu par a direita:
All these scenarios involve instability and potential failure.
A: ¿Cómo va el proyecto? B: Mal, el cliente no tiene dinero. El proyecto ________.
This is the standard idiom to describe a project at risk.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIt is always 'cuerda floja' because 'cuerda' is a feminine noun.
Yes, but usually we add context like 'el equilibrista' to show it's literal.
Yes, it's neutral. You can say 'La situación del contrato está en la cuerda floja'.
'Pender de un hilo' is more extreme. 'Cuerda floja' implies you are still trying to balance.
Yes, it is universally understood across all Spanish-speaking countries.
Usually, we use the definite article 'la' because it refers to the concept of the tightrope.
No, you must use 'estar en' or 'andar en'.
Extremely common, especially in sports and politics.
Yes, it's a funny, slightly dramatic way to say your battery is dying.
Almost exactly, though 'thin ice' often implies you did something wrong, while 'cuerda floja' can just be bad luck.
Frases relacionadas
Estar entre la espada y la pared
similarTo be between a rock and a hard place.
Pender de un hilo
synonymTo hang by a thread.
Estar contra las cuerdas
similarTo be against the ropes (from boxing).
Jugarse el tipo
builds onTo risk one's neck/life.
