tightropes

英 [ˈtaɪtrəʊps]

美 [ˈtaɪˌtroʊps]

n. (尤指马戏团表演用的)绷紧的绳索，绷紧的钢丝
tightrope的复数

(马戏团的表演用)绷索，钢丝
A tightrope is a tightly stretched piece of rope on which someone balances and performs tricks in a circus.
N-COUNT 走钢丝(比喻处境艰难，必须小心行事)
You can use tightrope in expressions such as walk a tightrope and live on a tightrope to indicate that someone is in a difficult situation and has to be very careful about what they say or do.
1. School administrators walk a tightrope between the demands of the community and the realities of how children really behave...
  学校管理者在社区的要求和孩子们的实际表现之间小心翼翼地平衡局面。
2. For the past few days Corinne has been living on an emotional tightrope.
  在过去几天里，科琳娜在感情问题上如履薄冰。