岌岌可危 imminent danger
Explanation
形容极其危险，即将倾覆或灭亡。
Describes an extremely dangerous situation, about to collapse or perish.
Origin Story
话说唐朝时期，有一个名叫李白的诗人，他年轻的时候喜欢游历各地，一次他路过一座古老的城池，发现城墙已经斑驳陆离，城楼也摇摇欲坠，城里的人们生活困苦，到处是破败的景象。李白不禁感慨道：这城池岌岌可危，随时都有可能倾覆。他想起自己曾经读过的历史典故，一些强大的王朝，也曾经因为内忧外患，最终走向灭亡。他觉得这座城市的命运，也和那些王朝一样，岌岌可危。于是，他写了一首诗，表达了自己对这座城市的担忧和惋惜。诗中，他描写了城墙的破败，城楼的倾斜，以及人民的痛苦，用生动的语言，展现了这座城市面临的危险。这首诗后来广为流传，人们读到这首诗，都会想起这座岌岌可危的城市，并对它的未来感到担忧。李白希望通过自己的诗歌，能够引起人们的关注，能够帮助这座城市渡过难关，避免最终的倾覆。
During the Tang Dynasty in ancient China, there was a renowned poet named Li Bai. In his youth, he loved to travel extensively, and during one of his journeys, he came across an ancient city whose walls were dilapidated and towers were on the verge of collapse. The city's inhabitants lived in poverty, and decay was visible everywhere. Li Bai sighed, expressing his concern about the city’s precarious condition, at risk of imminent collapse. The poet recalled historical anecdotes he had read, of powerful dynasties that had fallen due to internal strife and external threats. He felt that the city’s fate was similarly perilous. He penned a poem to express his worry and regret. The poem vividly depicted the crumbling walls, tilting towers, and suffering of the people, showcasing the city's imminent danger. This poem became widely circulated; whoever read it would recall this imperiled city and worry about its future. Li Bai hoped his poem would attract attention and help the city overcome its difficulties, preventing its ultimate ruin.
Usage
用于形容事物处于非常危险的状态，随时可能崩溃或灭亡。
Used to describe something in a very dangerous state, which may collapse or perish at any time.
Examples
-
大厦将倾，岌岌可危。
dà shà jiāng qīng, jí jí kě wēi
The building is about to collapse; it's very dangerous.
-
公司财务状况不佳，岌岌可危
gōngsī cáiwù zhuàngkuàng bù jiā, jí jí kě wēi
The company's financial situation is precarious; it's on the brink of collapse