live on the edge
live on the edge
Meaning
- to lead an exciting or dangerous lifestyle.
- to live a dangerous and risky life, especially if you enjoy acting in extreme and unexpected ways.
- to act in a way that puts oneself in danger.
- to find oneself in a life-threatening or distressing position that one did not choose.
“Live on the edge” means to take risks and be willing to accept the consequences of those risks. It is often used to describe people who enjoy living life in a more daring or wild way without much regard for the potential harm they may face. When someone is “living on the edge”, they are placing themselves at risk of harm.
Example Sentences
- He’s always been an adrenaline junkie and loves to live on the edge.
- She decided to quit her job and live on the edge for a while.
- I’m not one for taking unnecessary risks, but some people seem to like living on the edge.
- His reckless behavior is an example of someone who likes to live on the edge.
- Jose appeared decent, but his true nature was one who liked to live on the edge.
Origin
Although its exact origin is unclear, the idiom “live on the edge” is believed to have originated in the United States during the 1950s. The literal use of the phrase dates to approximately the mid-1700s, but its metaphorical use began much later.
It typically refers to someone who engages in dangerous or risky activities and lives their life with a certain level of recklessness. People at the time described those who were willing to take risks as “living on the edge,” and this phrase has since become a common way of referring to those who enjoy taking risks and pushing boundaries.
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