危機一髪

Etymology
Compound of, where  is in reference to the 🇨🇬 expression , alluding to a 15,000-kilogram weight suspended by a single strand of hair.

First attested in 1902.

Pronunciation

 * き いっぱ  (Atamadaka + Odaka)
 * き いっぱ  (Odaka + Odaka)

Noun

 * 1)  imminent danger, a close call: a situation where danger is so high that the tiniest mistake could result in failure