tightrope

noun

1. a rope or wire cable, stretched tight, on which acrobats perform feats of balancing.

verb (used without object), tight·roped, tight·rop·ing.

2. to walk, move, or proceed on or as on a tightrope: He tightroped through enemy territory.

verb (used with object), tight·roped, tight·rop·ing.

3. to make (one’s way, course, etc.) on or as on a tightrope.

noun

1. a rope or cable stretched taut above the ground on which acrobats walk or perform balancing feats
2. to be in a difficult situation that demands careful and considered behaviour

n.1801, from tight (adj.) + rope (n.). see walk a tightrope.