How do you use "touch and go" in a sentence?

It was touch and go after the heart attack but he's stable now. The first 48 hours were touch and go. It was touch and go whether she'd pull through.

touch and go

Q: What does "touch and go" mean?

uncertain whether someone will survive A critical medical situation where the outcome could go either way. Implies the patient is in a precarious state.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian Unknown Neutral

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Meaning: uncertain whether someone will survive

能否活下来尚不确定

incierto si alguien sobrevivirá

助かるかどうかわからない

살 수 있을지 불확실한 상태

A critical medical situation where the outcome could go either way. Implies the patient is in a precarious state.

一种危急的医疗状况，结果可能好也可能坏。暗示患者处于危险的状态。

Una situación médica crítica en la que el resultado puede ir en cualquier dirección. Implica que el paciente está en un estado precario.

結果がどちらにも転びうる危機的な医療状況。患者が不安定な状態にあることを含意する。

결과가 어느 쪽으로든 갈 수 있는 위중한 의료 상황. 환자가 위태로운 상태임을 나타낸다.

Examples

It was touch and go after the heart attack but he's stable now.
心脏病发作后生死未卜，但他现在稳定了。
Estuvo entre la vida y la muerte tras el infarto, pero ahora está estable.
心臓発作の後は一進一退だったが、今は安定している。
심장마비 후 일촉즉발의 상황이었지만 지금은 안정적이다.
The first 48 hours were touch and go.
最初的48小时情况很不确定。
Las primeras 48 horas fueron críticas.
最初の48時間は予断を許さない状況だった。
처음 48시간은 예단을 허용하지 않는 상황이었다.
It was touch and go whether she'd pull through.
她能否挺过来还是个未知数。
No se sabía si saldría adelante.
彼女が持ち直すかどうかは五分五分だった。
그녀가 이겨낼 수 있을지 반반이었다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: medical, serious, relieved

Tone: grave but hopeful

✓ Do Say

Describe critical situations
描述危急情况
describir situaciones críticas
危機的状況を表す
위급한 상황을 묘사할 때

✗ Don't Say

For minor illness
不用于轻微疾病
No se usa para enfermedades leves
軽い病気には使わない
가벼운 질병에는 부적절

Origin & History

Originally a nautical term for a ship barely touching the sea bottom before continuing. Implies a close call.

Cultural Context

Era: timeless

Generation: all ages

Social background: all