PhrasesHub

On the bubble

    Definitions

      • uncertain or in a precarious position
        Describing a situation or person that is in a state of uncertainty or at risk of failing

      • potential for success
        Referring to something or someone that has the possibility of achieving success or reaching a favorable outcome

    Examples of On the bubble

    • The applicant's name is on the bubble for the final selection.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where a person is in a state of uncertainty or limbo, particularly in regards to being selected for something. In this context, "on the bubble" implies that the applicant is one of the final contenders for a position but their chances are uncertain as they are being closely considered by the selection committee.

    • The team's record has them on the bubble for the playoffs.

      This usage of the idiom refers to a sports context. "On the bubble" is frequently employed to describe a team's position in a league or tournament where they are marginally qualified for the playoffs, but their standing in the standings is precarious and may not secure them a spot in the competition.

    • Her grades are on the bubble for passing the course.

      This usage of the idiom denotes a situation where a student's academic performance is questionable, and their chances of passing a particular course are uncertain. "On the bubble" implies that the student is near the cutoff point for passing an exam, but they have a slight chance of benefiting from some leniency or mercy to pass.

    • The company's stock is on the bubble as a result of recent economic events.

      This idiom is used to describe a fluctuating state of an investment or stock. "On the bubble" implies that the stock is unpredictable and may either rise or fall significantly as a result of external events or factors beyond the control of the company or its investors.

    • Sarah's college application is on the bubble. She has a strong academic record and has participated in several extracurricular activities, but the admissions committee is still undecided about her acceptance.

      In this example, "on the bubble" means that Sarah's application is in a position where it could go either way. She has met most of the requirements for acceptance, but her application is not yet a sure thing. The admissions committee is still considering whether she will be accepted or not.

    • Tom's startup company is on the bubble. It has shown some promising results, but it's not yet profitable, and there are still some major challenges that need to be addressed. The investors are unsure about whether to continue funding the company.

      In this example, "on the bubble" means that the success of Tom's company is uncertain. It has the potential to succeed, but there are still some significant risks and challenges that need to be overcome. The investors are waiting to see whether the company can overcome these challenges and achieve profitability before deciding whether to continue funding it.

    • The new sales campaign is on the bubble. The marketing team has put a lot of effort into planning and executing the campaign, but the initial results have been mixed. The sales department is uncertain about whether the campaign will be successful.

      In this example, "on the bubble" means that the success of the sales campaign is uncertain. The marketing team has done their best to create a successful campaign, but the actual results are not yet clear. The sales department is waiting to see whether the campaign results in an increase in sales before deciding about its success or failure.

    • Emily's job performance is on the bubble. She has been struggling with meeting her goals and deadlines, and her supervisor is unsure about whether to keep her on or let her go.

      In this example, "on the bubble" means that Emily's job is in jeopardy. Her performance has not met expectations, and her supervisor is uncertain about whether to continue employing her. The "bubble" refers to the fact that Emily is not yet out of a job, but her position is uncertain.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "on the bubble" can be used to convey both uncertainty and potential for success. It is often used to describe a situation or person that is in a precarious position or has the potential to achieve success.

    Origin of "On the bubble"

    The origin of the idiom "on the bubble" can be traced back to the 18th century, where it was used in the context of sports, particularly in the game of billiards. In billiards, the "bubble" referred to the edge of the pocket, and if a ball was resting on the edge, it was in a precarious position, uncertain of whether it would fall into the pocket or not. Over time, the term was adopted into general language to describe any situation or person in a precarious or uncertain position. Today, it is commonly used in various contexts to convey the idea of uncertainty or potential for success.