ragged edge

noun

1. the brink, as of a cliff.
2. any extreme edge; verge.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ragged edge¹

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on the ragged edge, in a dangerous or precarious position; on the verge or brink of:

   on the ragged edge of despair.

Example Sentences

In “Two Things,” she finds the ragged edge of her honeyed voice to put across the exasperation involved in a love-hate relationship; in “We Broke Up,” she realizes that closure is available only to those who are ready for it: “I could take a deep dive in the details / I could hide, I could cry till I throw up / Take a stroll, camera roll, old emails / But it’s as simple as, ‘We broke up.’”

From Los Angeles Times

The last few years I've been off balance, right on the ragged edge of my technique where that if I have to push a little bit more, I lose it.

From BBC

Frederickson, 56, was perched on that ragged edge of American life, where a stroke of bad luck — a lost job, a health crisis — can mean the difference between paying the bills and not, between making rent and not, between getting by and not.

From Seattle Times

But this sleek atmosphere conceals a ragged edge.

From Los Angeles Times

I remember thinking, I’m like on the ragged edge of sanity.”

From Los Angeles Times