It seemed to me I could do something in that vein with my characters: the ticking clock, dire jeopardy, quick changes of fortune, small acts having huge consequences.
If someone or something is in jeopardy, they are in a dangerous situation where they might fail, be lost, or be destroyed. A series of setbacks have put the whole project in jeopardy. in jeopardy in danger of being lost or harmed (juparti, from jeu parti )
Danger to the defendant of possible conviction and punishment In a criminal proceeding, the defendant is usually said to be in "jeopardy" after the jury has been sworn in and the preliminary hearing has taken place
The peril in which an accused is placed when he is properly charged with a crime before a court Jeopardy normally attaches when the petit jury is impaneled After such time, the accused may not be released and tried at a later date for the same offense Subject to exception See double jeopardy
{i} danger, peril, hazard, risk; endangerment, imperilment; danger or risk that a person who has been charged with a crime undergoes when on trial (Law)