危如累卵 as precarious as a stack of eggs
Explanation
比喻局势极其危险，像堆积的蛋一样，随时可能崩溃瓦解。
The idiom is used to describe an extremely dangerous situation that is as precarious as a stack of eggs, ready to collapse at any moment.
Origin Story
春秋时期，晋灵公为了享乐，不顾百姓死活，大兴土木，建造九层高台。工程浩大，耗费巨大，民怨沸腾。大臣荀息看在眼里，急在心里。他设计了一个巧妙的计策来劝谏晋灵公。一日，荀息来到灵公面前，摆放了十二个棋子，然后在上面小心翼翼地摆放了九个鸡蛋。晋灵公正看得兴致勃勃，荀息突然轻轻一推，棋子倾斜，鸡蛋纷纷滚落，摔得粉碎。晋灵公见状，顿时明白了荀息的用意。他意识到自己的行为如同堆积的鸡蛋一样危险，随时可能崩塌，国家也面临着同样的危险。于是，他痛改前非，下令停止建造高台，减轻百姓的负担，从此励精图治，使国家逐渐安定下来。
During the Spring and Autumn period, the ruler of Jin, Jin Linggong, disregarding the suffering of his people, engaged in extravagant construction projects to satisfy his pleasures, including a nine-story high platform. The scale of the project and huge expenses caused widespread resentment. Minister Xun Xi, witnessing the situation, devised an ingenious plan to counsel Jin Linggong. One day, Xun Xi placed twelve chess pieces and then carefully placed nine eggs on top. As Jin Linggong watched with interest, Xun Xi gently nudged the pieces, causing them to tilt. The eggs tumbled and shattered. Jin Linggong immediately understood Xun Xi’s message. He realized his actions were as dangerous as a pile of eggs, on the verge of collapse, and the state faced a similar peril. Therefore, he repented, stopped the construction of the platform, reduced the burden on the people, and started to govern diligently, leading to gradual stability in the state.
Usage
用来形容情况非常危险，随时可能崩溃。
It is used to describe a situation that is extremely dangerous and could collapse at any moment.
Examples
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国家形势危如累卵，岌岌可危。
guójiā xíngshì wēi rú lěi luǎn, jí jí kě wēi
The national situation is as precarious as a pile of eggs, on the verge of collapse.
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企业面临困境，危如累卵，稍有不慎就会倒闭。
qǐyè miànlín kùnjìng, wēi rú lěi luǎn, shāo yǒu bùshèn jiù huì dǎobì
The company is facing difficulties and is as precarious as a pile of eggs; a slight carelessness will lead to its collapse