摇摇欲坠 (yáo yáo yù zhuì) — tottering, on the verge of collapse (of buildings, structures); (figurative) on the brink of collapse (of a regime, company, health, etc.)

Definition

Examples

• 这个政权已经摇摇欲坠，随时可能被推翻。
  Zhè ge zhèng quán yǐ jīng yáo yáo yù zhuì, suí shí kě néng bèi tuī fān.
  This regime is already on the verge of collapse and could be overthrown at any moment.
• 那座古塔经过地震后摇摇欲坠，必须立即加固。
  Nà zuò gǔ tǎ jīng guò dì zhèn hòu yáo yáo yù zhuì, bì xū lì jí jiā gù.
  After the earthquake, that ancient pagoda was tottering and must be reinforced immediately.
• 他们的婚姻关系摇摇欲坠，只差最后一根稻草。
  Tā men de hūn yīn guān xì yáo yáo yù zhuì, zhī chà zuì hòu yì gēn dào cǎo.
  Their marriage is on the verge of collapse, just one last straw away.

Origin