It derives from a touch being able to send something in a different direction. Imagine a toy boat floating, you touch it, and it might go left or right or somewhere else.
Now it's a saying that means it's very sensitive to conditions, and things could go either way - no one can predict.
Example: "Ultimately the astronauts landed safely, but for a while there it was very touch and go."
2007-03-13 14:53:21
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answer #1
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answered by T J 6
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It is an idiom that means that the result or outcome is uncertain.
It comes from navigation. In the days of sail often the only way to transfer goods, or even a person, between ships was to bring the two vessels so close that they actually touched. This was clearly highly dangerous thus, when the transfer was successfully completed, the next event was to Go and separate the vessels as quickly as possible. From aviation, It refers to when a pilot lands but takes off again immediately to avoid a hazard.
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It's fairly common.
You use it when the odds are about fifty-fifty. It's most common as an answer.
-- Do you think he'll survive the operation?
-- It's touch and go.
2007-03-13 15:02:34
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answer #2
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answered by Diana J 1
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it means go somewhere just for a task and come back.
it's something like an idiom.
it's used when you have to say it :)
mom: are u going out?
son: i'm going to visit some friends..
mom: ok, but it's late, so touch and go.
there's similar idiom in italian "toccata e fuga"
2007-03-13 15:20:30
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answer #3
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answered by tifrugoinfrigo t 1
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It means the outcome of a situation can go either way. Ex: He had a serious wreck and his condition was touch and go for awhile.(meaning he might live or die)
2007-03-13 14:46:01
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answer #4
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answered by DOT 5
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It is an idiom, meaning uncertain.
2007-03-13 22:40:39
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answer #5
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answered by arienne321 4
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the theory is the quantity of money initially invested. for occasion in case you place $10,000 interior the financial company at 3% activity, each 12 months you will possibly earn $3 hundred. in case you in straight forward terms spend the $3 hundred then you certainly in no way touch the theory or in different words you in no way take out any of the $10,000.
2016-10-18 07:56:57
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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