edge of the sumo ring
Literal sumo term: the straw-bale boundary of the dohyō. Used when a wrestler is pushed to the edge.
The sumo wrestler held his ground at the edge of the ring.
Figurative extension: a situation where one is pushed to the limit, just before a decisive outcome. Common in news and business contexts.
The negotiations were driven to the brink.
They won with a last-minute turnaround.
The wrestler was pushed to the edge of the ring but managed to stay in.
The election was won by a last-minute reversal.
The negotiations were on the verge of collapse, but they managed to hold their ground at the last moment.
Due to poor performance, the company is now on the brink of collapse.