1.
paper-thin difference; razor-thin margin; fine line
An extremely small difference between two things, especially between success and failure, genius and madness, or other opposing outcomes.
Literally "the thickness of one sheet of paper," used to describe an extremely small gap between two contrasting outcomes or qualities. Often used in set phrases comparing opposing concepts.
Usage
Most commonly appears in the pattern AとBは紙一重 (A and B are paper-thin apart). Also used with の差 (difference) to describe narrow margins in competitions or decisions.
Common collocations
- 紙一重の差 — a razor-thin difference
- 紙一重の勝利 — a victory by the slimmest margin
- 成功と失敗は紙一重 — success and failure are a hair's breadth apart
- 天才と狂気は紙一重 — genius and madness are separated by a fine line
Similar words
- 僅差 — narrow margin (more neutral, often for scores)
- 際どい — close, narrow, borderline (adjective)