Wiktionary
a. (context idiomatic English) Very nearly; imminent; close.
Wikipedia
"On the Brink" is the fifth episode of series seven of the British espionage television series Spooks, and the 60th episode overall. It was originally broadcast on digital channel BBC Three on 10 November 2008, and repeated on frontline channel BBC One on 17 November. The episode was written by Christian Spurrier, his first writing credit for the series, and directed by Edward Hall. Set during the credit crunch, in this episode, Section D chief Ros Myers ( Hermione Norris) works undercover to stop Alexis Meynell ( Paul Rhys), a banker who is attempting to bankrupt the country. Later, Ros discovers Meynell's motive.
The idea behind the episode came from the financial crisis of Northern Rock in late 2007; the producers wanted to set up a story about a bank collapse so severe it could result in an economic collapse. The episode was filmed in May 2008, with a lot taking place in London's Blue Fin building. About six million viewers saw the episode from both BBC One and Three broadcasts; the BBC One ratings were steady despite heavy competition from I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! on ITV1. Critical reactions towards the episode were positive for including a change in plot.
On the Brink may refer to:
- On the Brink (1911 film), directed by Edwin S. Porter
- On the Brink, English title for the 1912 Italian film Vicino alla colpa
- On the Brink (1914 film), produced by Siegmund Lubin
- On the Brink (1915 film), starring Joseph Tozer
- On the Brink (2003 film), narrated by David Attenborough
- On the Brink: Inside the Race to Stop the Collapse of the Global Financial System, a 2011 memoir by Henry Paulson
- On the Brink (Spooks), 2008 episode of the British TV series Spooks
- On the Brink (album), 2008 debut album by the English indie rock band The Thirst
Usage examples of "on the brink".
The light sprang up again, and there on the brink of the chasm, at the very Crack of Doom, stood Frodo, black against the glare, tense, erect, but still as if he had been turned to stone.
It isn't easy, either, being responsible for the destinies of two planets on the brink of war-with the added danger of Romulan incursion.
It is almost as if the crew is on the brink of disobedience, but that is absurd.
And at that moment I was on the brink of trying to explain to him how his relationship with his beloved might be altered by the choice of means adopted to effect his release.
The Big Story in California, after all, was that McGovern was on the brink of locking up a first-ballot nomination in Miami -- and that Hubert Humphrey was about to get stomped so badly at the polls that he might have to be carried out of the state in a rubber sack.
Frodo could see it from his window, deep in the heavens burning like a watchful eye that glared above the trees on the brink of the valley.