Does anybody know how this phrase came into use? I hear it on various TV shows to describe somebody who has enough qualifications to get into the next round, provided that some later contestant doesn't score higher. I first heard it on Fear Factor 3 or 4 years ago, and again this morning in our paper in the TV section--something about somebody on A.I.* being "on the bubble" pending others' performances.
*American Idol, in this case!