BRINK

[noun] [U] - the point where something is about to begin, or (literary) the edge of a cliff or other high areaExtreme stress had driven him to the brink of a nervous breakdown.Scientists are on the brink of (= extremely close to) a major new discovery.His company are reported to be teetering on the brink of bankruptcy/collapse/ruin.(literary) She stood swaying on the brink of the gorge.