kynsillään

Kynsillään is a Finnish phrase that literally translates to "on its fingernails." It is an idiomatic expression used to describe a situation where something is extremely precarious, hanging by a thread, or in imminent danger of failing. The phrase evokes a vivid image of something barely holding on, much like a person clinging to a ledge with only their fingernails.

The usage of "kynsillään" is common in everyday Finnish conversation and literature when discussing delicate matters. It can refer to a business that is on the brink of bankruptcy, a relationship that is struggling to survive, or even a person's health that is in a critical state. The phrase emphasizes the fragility and uncertainty of the situation.

For example, one might say that a company's future is "kynsillään" if it is facing severe financial difficulties and its survival is uncertain. Similarly, if a political negotiation is not progressing well and could collapse at any moment, the talks could be described as being "kynsillään." The expression highlights the precariousness and the high stakes involved.