kumapit sa patalim

Literally, “to clutch onto a blade”, from the proverb ang taong nagigipit, sa patalim kumakapit.

• Hyphenation: ku‧ma‧pit sa pa‧ta‧lim
• IPA^(key): /kuˌmapit sa pataˈlim/, [kʊˌma.pɪt sɐ pɐ.tɐˈlim]

Lua error in Module:utilities at line 142: attempt to perform arithmetic on local 'h' (a nil value)

1. (idiomatic) to live in a dangerous or precarious situation; to live on the razor's edge
2. (idiomatic) to resort to any activity, especially crime, to survive or earn a living
   • 1981, Ang Bagong Pamana:

     Napilitang kumapit sa patalim ng pagsasamantala ang mag-amang Itoy at Clemenia sa pag-babaka-sakaling maagaw sa kuko ng kamatayan ang asawa't inang may sakit kahit ang kanilang sarili ang maging kabayaran.

     The father Itoy, and daughter Clemenia, were forced to hold on a blade (to exploit) in hopes of stealing his ill wife from the brink of death even if the payment was himself.

   • 2004, Frank G. Rivera, Oyayi: sarswela ng pamilyang Pinoy, →ISBN:

     Biniro ko pa si Lino Brocka na kung meron siyang gagawing pelikulang Kapit sa Patalim, mas nauna akong kumapit sa patalim sa pagtatrabaho sa UL. Sinabi niyang sana raw ay hindi ako masugatan sa aking gagawin.

     I even made a joke to Lino Brocka that if he would make a film titled Kapit sa Patalim (“A Hold on a Blade”), I was first in holding on a blade (resorting to a strenous activity) by working at the [University of Life]. He said that he hopes I do not get wounded in what I would do.

   • 2014, Taga Imus, Ang Mga Lihim ng Pulang Diary: Tagalog Gay Stories, Taga Imus M2M Books - TGIMS Publishing Services, →ISBN, page 69:

     Ilan ba sa mga iyon ang hindi natanggap at kumapit sa patalim para makakain? Lahat pinaiikot nga ng pera at kung wala ka nito ay kawawa ka.

     How many of them were rejected and held onto a blade (ditched to last resort) in order to eat? Everything really revolves about money, and if you don't have it, you'll be suffering.

3. Lua error in Module:utilities at line 142: attempt to perform arithmetic on local 'h' (a nil value)