noun
1 very close to an extreme state
PHRASES
▪ be on the ~ of sth
▪
She was on the ~ of a nervous breakdown when she finally sought help.
▪
He looked as if he was on the ~ of tears.
▪ be poised on the ~ of sth , stand on the ~ of sth , teeter on the ~ of sth
▪
The company is teetering on the ~ of bankruptcy.
▪ bring sb/sth to
▪
This action brought the country to the ~ of economic collapse.
2 ( BrE ) piece of grass at side of a road, etc.
ADJECTIVE
▪ grass
▪ motorway , roadside
VERB + VERGE
▪ mount
▪
The vehicle crossed white lines and mounted a ~ before being stopped by police.
▪ hit