hang by/on/with a single thread

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taked4700

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Hi,

The future of Japan is hanging by/on a single thread.

I know this is idiomatic, but I wonder if 'hanging with a single thread' could make sense or not.

Thanks in advance.
 

probus

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By is natural and correct. On is unnatural but perhaps barely acceptable. With is out of the question.
 
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taked4700

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Thank you, Probus.

Can I ask a further question?

My dictionary says 'hang on a single thread' is an idiom.

Could you tell me in what context 'hang on a single thread' is idiomatic?

1. It is hanging on a single thread if I could make the train to the office.

2. My dinner date with Kate is hanging on a single thread. I've lost my bag so I have no money, no cash cards with me now.

Do you think these are idiomatic?

Thanks in advance.
 

probus

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Thank you, Probus.

Can I ask a further question?

My dictionary says 'hang on a single thread' is an idiom.

Could you tell me in what context 'hang on a single thread' is idiomatic?

1. It is hanging on a single thread if I could make the train to the office.

2. My dinner date with Kate is hanging on a single thread. I've lost my bag so I have no money, no cash cards with me now.

Do you think these are idiomatic?

Thanks in advance.

Yes I think they are all idiomatic. Who am I, a humble retired English teacher, to argue against a dictionary? All I meant to say was that I think by is the better usage than on, and that with is wrong, which I think was your original question, and is still my original answer.
 

taked4700

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Thank you, Probus.

Let me make sure once again.

Generally speaking, 'hang by a single thread' is more idiomatic than 'hang on a single thread' in any context, in other words, there is no context that makes 'hang on a single thread' more idiomatic than 'hang by a single thread'.

Is this right?

Thanks in advance.
 

5jj

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I will happily argue against a dictionary if I think the compilers are mistaken. Who published your dictionary, taked?

1. It is hanging on a single thread if I could make the train to the office.

2. My dinner date with Kate is hanging on a single thread. I've lost my bag, so I have no money[STRIKE], no cash[/STRIKE] or cards with me now.


#1 seems to me to be so unnatural as not to be English. With my correction, #2 is possible, but 'by' would be more natural.
 

taked4700

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Thank you, 5jj.

It seems to me that 'hang by a single thread' is more natural than 'hang on a single thread' in any context.

Is this right?

Thanks in advance.
 

5jj

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It seems to me that 'hang by a single thread' is more natural than 'hang on a single thread' in any context.

Is this right?
That is what probus and I have said.
 
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