Hanging by a Thread

A former boss once told me that I should be careful, because I was hanging by a thread. I told him that it was better to be hanging by a thread than some other form of more substantial rope, since a string of thread would be quite likely to break if someone tried to hang you with it. Some people aren't very good at threats.

Hang In There

One time, when I was going through something of a rough period, someone told me to hang in there. I told him that I wasn't that depressed, and even if I were, hanging really wouldn't be my preferred mode of departure from this plane of existence. Some people are really terrible at counseling those who are feeling a little down.

Handle With Kid Gloves

One time, a co-worker warned me that talking to our boss about a pay raise should be handled with kid gloves. I told my co-worker that if our boss was into that kind of thing, someone really should report him to the authorities. Some people will do anything to get a raise.