Expression: Skating on thin ice

If you're skating on thin ice, it means that you're saying or doing something dangerous. You're taking a big risk, usually more in the emotional sense than in the physical one. For example, you might be talking about a difficult subject like religion or politics, and somebody could warn you that you're skating on thin ice. Here are a few examples:


Bob: What did you think of the meeting?
Irene: I was surprised when Jessica criticized the holiday party... She was really skating on thin ice!
Bob: You're right. Did you see the look on Celia's face?

*****

Dear Angela,

After thinking over your ideas for the presentation, I'd like to make a suggestion: aren't we skating on thin ice if we give our opinion without any data to support it? Don't you think the board of directors will question our sources and assumptions?

Let me know what you think.

All best,

Jim

*****

As you caqn see, this expression is usually in the continuous form, and you can use it in the present, past, or future continuous. Sometimes people shorten this expression and simply say: "you're on thin ice."