How do you say “On thin ice” in Spanish?
The closest natural Spanish equivalent is Estar en la cuerda floja, which literally means “To be on the slack rope”. English speakers use on thin ice to mean in a risky situation where making one more mistake will cause serious trouble. An established expression for a precarious position. It can describe an insecure job or situation without implying that the person has already misbehaved. Register: neutral. Usage frequency: common.
Closest natural Spanish
Estar en la cuerda floja
/esˈtaɾ en la ˈkweɾda ˈfloxa/
- Literal meaning
- “To be on the slack rope”
- Register
- neutral
- How often it's used
- common
- Equivalence
Close equivalent
87 out of 100
What a native Spanish speaker would actually say
English stands on ice that may break. Spanish balances on a rope that offers little security.
Both suggest danger, but the Spanish is broader. The English often warns that one more mistake will bring punishment; make that consequence clear when it matters.
How close is the meaning?
- Meaning4 out of 5
- Tone5 out of 5
- Context4 out of 5
- Literal similarity1 out of 5
These ratings are editorial approximations, not measurements.
What are other ways to say it in Spanish?
Estar a un paso de meterse en problemas
Literally: “To be at one step from getting into problems”
Makes an imminent consequence explicit.
Jugar con fuego
Literally: “To play with fire”
Stresses risky behaviour that may bring trouble.
Common translation traps
Estar sobre hielo fino
This sounds like a literal description of ice rather than an ordinary warning about someone’s position.
The notes above explain why these versions do not work in this context in Spanish.
In context
English
You’re on thin ice with the boss after those mistakes.
Spanish
Después de esos errores, estás en la cuerda floja con el jefe.
English
Another missed deadline would put her on thin ice.
Spanish
Incumplir otro plazo la dejaría en la cuerda floja.
Related expressions
Last updated 2026-09-13