COMMON If someone is skating on thin ice, they are doing something which could have unpleasant consequences for them. He told me I was skating on thin ice and should change my attitude. Note: Verbs such as tread, walk or stand can be used instead of skate. Watch it Max, Christopher thought gleefully, you're treading on very thin ice. Note: You can also just say that someone is on thin ice. I could see I was on thin ice. His professional pride was injured.