千钧一发 qiānjūn-yífà literally a thousand pounds hangs by a thread
literally a thousand pounds hangs by a thread (idiom); figuratively (at the) critical; perilous (moment)
How to remember 千钧一发: 千 thousand + 钧 unit of weight equal to thirty catties + 一 one + 发 send out = literally a thousand pounds hangs by a thread.
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How it is used
- A thousand pounds hanging by a single hair - a moment of extreme peril - 在千钧一发之际 (zài qiānjūn-yífà zhī jì) at the critical, hair's-breadth moment.
- Set idiom for a split-second, do-or-die crisis point.
- Dramatic/written; 钧 is an ancient weight unit - emphasizes huge stakes on a fragile thread.