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To engage in a risky or dangerous course of action where failure could have serious consequences.
新しい事業に手を出すなんて、危ない橋を渡るようなものだ。
Diving into a new business is like walking a tightrope.
彼と付き合うのは危ない橋を渡るようなものだ。
Getting involved with him is playing with fire.
Often implies moral or practical danger rather than physical risk.
Imagine trying to cross a rickety old bridge over a deep ravine. Each step could be your last. This is the mental image evoked by '危ない橋を渡る'—a situation where every action carries high stakes.
Use this idiom when describing situations where someone is deliberately choosing a dangerous path, often for short-term gain despite potential long-term consequences. It's not used for accidental risks.
The phrase combines '危ない' (abunai, dangerous) and '橋' (hashi, bridge), metaphorically describing actions that are perilous like crossing a shaky bridge. The imagery of physical danger is extended to social, financial, or moral risks.
Commonly used to warn against reckless decisions in business, relationships, or personal matters. Often appears in advice-giving contexts.