Holding on by a thread

Posted by ESC on September 03, 2005

In Reply to: Holding on by a thread posted by Alain Houé on September 03, 2005

: Hello! New Orleans Mayor said "The people of our city are holding on by a thread". I have never come across this expression. Does it mean the people are in a very difficult situation?

Yes. They have a tenuous hold on their emotions, their lives and health.