brink

/briɳk/
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brink

She stood on the brink of the canyon, looking down.

Definition

Noun: 1. The extreme edge of something, especially a steep or dangerous place: The point just before a physical drop or precipice. 2. The point at which something is about to begin or occur; a critical threshold: A state or time immediately before a significant, often decisive, event or change.

Examples of Usage
  • (Illustrates the physical edge of a steep place.)
  • (Illustrates the threshold of a significant event.)
  • (Illustrates the point just before a negative change in state.)
  • (Illustrates the point just before a positive, transformative event.)
Advanced Usage
  • "On the brink of [something]": This is the most common collocation. It means being at the point where something is very likely to happen imminently.
    • The two nations are on the brink of war.
    • The species was pulled back from the brink of extinction.
  • "To the brink": Often used with verbs like "push," "bring," or "teeter" to describe causing or experiencing a state of extreme risk.
    • The crisis pushed the economy to the brink.
Variants and Related Words
  • Brinkmanship (noun): The practice, especially in politics, of pursuing a dangerous policy to the limits of safety before stopping. (A compound word derived from 'brink').
    • The diplomat was accused of reckless brinkmanship during the negotiations.
Synonyms
  • Verge: Very similar in meaning, especially in the phrase "on the verge of."
  • Threshold: The point of entry or beginning of something.
  • Cusp: A point of transition between two different states.
  • Precipice: A very steep rock face or cliff; used metaphorically similar to 'brink' for a perilous situation.
  • Edge: The outside limit of an object, area, or surface; a less intense synonym.
Related Idioms and Phrases
  • "On the brink of disaster/collapse": In an extremely dangerous or precarious situation.
    • After the earthquake, the ancient city was on the brink of collapse.
  • "To teeter on the brink": To be in a very unstable situation and likely to fall or fail.
    • For months, the fragile coalition government teetered on the brink.
brink

She stood on the brink of the canyon, looking down.

Noun
  1. the limit beyond which something happens or changes
    • on the verge of tears
    • on the brink of bankruptcy
  2. the edge of a steep place
  3. a region marking a boundary

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