[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/tightrope/)

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# tightrope

noun (a tightrope, tightropes)

«tightrope» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A tightrope is a rope or wire stretched tight high above the ground, which an acrobat walks along. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tightrope/#m1)
2. «To walk a tightrope» means to be in a difficult situation where you must be very careful, because a small mistake could cause trouble. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tightrope/#m2)

### In the lessons

In circus stories a tightrope walker balances with a long pole or with arms held out. In science, it is an example of balance and centre of gravity: holding a long pole helps keep balance. In everyday speech, «walking a tightrope» means keeping two sides happy or avoiding a mistake. Phrases: «walk a tightrope», «tightrope walker», «on a tightrope».

### Examples

- The tightrope walker crossed high above the circus ring. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tightrope/#x1)
- She held a long pole to keep her balance on the tightrope. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tightrope/#x2)
- Nobody fell off the tightrope. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tightrope/#x3)
- Our teacher showed that a pole helps balance, just like on a tightrope. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tightrope/#x4)
- Being friends with both groups felt like walking a tightrope. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tightrope/#x5)
- There was a safety net under the tightrope. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tightrope/#x6)
- We made a pretend tightrope with a line of tape on the floor. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tightrope/#x7)

### Note

Countable noun, plural tightropes. One word. «Walk a tightrope» is an idiom and usually has nothing to do with a real rope. Do not confuse with «tight rope» (any rope pulled tight).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «tightrope» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tightrope/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«tightrope» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/tightrope.html) on Mova free.