Learning French: ne tenir qu'à un fil and other tenir phrases

French learners will recognise tenir as the verb, to hold. 

It is a useful word to know as it appears in many French phrases, for example: ne tenir qu'à un fil, which describes an unstable situation. 

We will look at the mythological origins behind it and other phrases featuring tenir. 

What does ne tenir qu'à un fil mean?

The literal translation, to hold on only by a thread, is not far from the well-known English phrase, to hang by a thread.

It is typically used to describe a precarious or fragile situation. 

You might also hear the alternative French expressions featuring a strand of hair: ne tenir qu'à un cheveu or il s’en est fallu d’un cheveu. 

Read also: Se serrer la ceinture: Our French expression of the week

What are the origins of ne tenir qu'à un fil?

The original form of this phrase was: leur vie ne tient qu'à un fil (their life hangs by a thread). 

It is said to have stemmed from the Fates, the personifications of human destiny in Roman (Parcae) or Greek (Moirai) mythology.

The three powerful Fates were sisters who controlled the metaphorical ‘thread’ of life. Each sister played a different role: holding the thread (birth), placing it on the spindle (life) and cutting it in two (death). 

The Gods were unaware of the Fates’ intentions and so each feared their death would come at any moment. This story reminds us of life’s fragile nature. 

Read also: Understanding 'avoir un Œil de lynx': origins and usage in French

When do you say ne tenir qu'à un fil?

It can be used to describe a risky, weak or unstable situation:

• Depuis que j'ai menti à mon petit ami, notre relation ne tient plus qu'à un fil. - Since I lied to my boyfriend, our relationship is hanging by a nail. 

• Vous ne tenez qu'à un fil, vous n'avez aucune preuve pour soutenir votre argumentation. - You are hanging by a thread, you have no proof to support your argument.

• Tu la mets en danger. Sa vie ne doit pas tenir à un fil aussi ténu. - You are putting her in danger. Her life shouldn’t hang by such a thin thread.

To whom do you say ne tenir qu'à un fil?

It is considered neutral language and can be used with friends and family as well as colleagues and strangers. 

Read also: Mastering French linking words: D'ailleurs vs par ailleurs explained

More tenir expressions?

The verb tenir (to hold) appears in lots of different French phrases, such as:

• Avoir de qui tenir - To be a chip off the old block

• En tenir une couche - To not be the sharpest tool in the shed

• Incapable de tenir sa langue - Unable to hold their tongue 

• Se tenir au courant de - To keep up to date with

• Tenir à [qch/qqn] comme à la prunelle de ses yeux - To be the apple of [someone/something]’s eye

• Tenir dans un mouchoir de poche - To have hardly anything in it (a very close competition)

• Tenir la chandelle - To be the third wheel

• Tenir la vedette - To steal the limelight

• Tenir le bon bout - To be on the right track

• Pari tenu ! - You’re on!

…and many, many more.