Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

thread the needle

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.85 in modern English

Syllables
thread- the nee-dle
IPA
23
Scrabble Score
15
Letters
3
Syllables
8
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To perform a tedious task with extreme precision; to manage to find harmony or strike a balance between conflicting forces, interests, etc.

verb

To fly through a narrow gap; typically using a wingsuit.

noun

A game in which children stand in a row, joining hands, and in which the outer one, still holding their neighbor, runs between the others.

Uncountable

Example Sentences

Etymology

From the analogy of passing a thread through the eye of a needle, which requires great focus and precision to accomplish.

Usage

Inflected Forms

threads the needle (present, singular) threading the needle (participle, present) threaded the needle (participle, past) threaded the needle (past) thread a needle (alternative, verb)

Synonyms

thread needle

Questions

What does thread the needle mean?
To perform a tedious task with extreme precision; to manage to find harmony or strike a balance between conflicting forces, interests, etc.
Where does thread the needle come from?
From the analogy of passing a thread through the eye of a needle, which requires great focus and precision to accomplish.

How to pronounce thread the needle

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “thread the needle”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “thread the needle”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “thread the needle” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.