Definition

1. Noun:
   • A risky or hazardous enterprise: "dangerous undertaking" refers to a task, project, or venture that involves significant risk, peril, or potential for harm.
   • A wild and exciting venture: It can also describe an endeavor that is thrilling, adventurous, and possibly reckless, not necessarily conforming to standard laws or conventions.

Usage

• The term is used as a countable noun to describe a specific risky venture.
• It often carries connotations of adventure, recklessness, or defiance of norms, beyond just physical danger.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Climbing that mountain without proper gear is a dangerous undertaking.
  • Starting a business in a volatile market is often seen as a dangerous undertaking.
  • Their plan to explore the uncharted jungle was a dangerous undertaking fueled by a sense of adventure.

Advanced Usage

• "to embark on a dangerous undertaking": to begin a risky venture.
  • The team embarked on a dangerous undertaking to recover the ancient artifact.
• "a foolhardy dangerous undertaking": a venture that is recklessly risky.
  • Sailing into the storm was a foolhardy dangerous undertaking.

Variants and Related Words

• Risk (n): The possibility of loss or injury.
• Venture (n): A risky or daring journey or undertaking.
• Enterprise (n): A project or undertaking, typically one that is difficult or requires effort.
• Hazardous operation (n): A procedure or mission involving danger.
• Perilous quest (n): A dangerous search or journey towards a goal.

Synonyms

• Risky venture: An undertaking with a high chance of danger or failure.
• Hazardous enterprise: A business or project involving serious risks.
• Perilous mission: A task or assignment that is full of dangers.

Related Phrases

• To undertake a danger: To take on a risky task. (Note: This is a phrase using the verb form of "undertaking").
  • He was willing to undertake any danger for the cause.

Related Idioms

• Walking a tightrope: Being in a risky situation where one must be very careful.
  • Managing the two competing companies was like walking a tightrope—a real dangerous undertaking.
• Playing with fire: Engaging in a very risky activity.
  • Investing all his savings in that scheme was playing with fire; it was a dangerous undertaking.

Noun

1. a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)