on the bubble
The phrase "on the bubble" originated in the 1970s from professional car racing and describes a precarious or uncertain situation, often used in sports and competitive contexts.
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Definition
B2Sports
(informal)Barely qualifying or on the verge of qualifying for the next round.
Example
- The team is on the bubble for making it to the playoffs.
B2General
(idiomatic)In a precarious or uncertain situation, at risk of failing or being excluded.
Example
- The company is on the bubble of securing a major investment.
- She is on the bubble about whether to accept the new job offer.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "on the bubble":
bubble underon the edgedouble bubbleon the fencethought bubblebubble upbubble ringin contentionsoap bubbleon thin icebubble pack