risk
/risk/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- The possibility of something bad or unpleasant happening: "Risk" refers to the chance or probability of loss, injury, danger, or other negative consequences.
- A situation involving exposure to danger: "Risk" can also mean a specific source of potential harm or a dangerous possibility.
- A person or thing regarded as likely to cause a problem: In some contexts, "risk" refers to someone or something that is a source of danger.
Verb:
- To expose someone or something to danger, harm, or loss: This means to put something valuable or important in a situation where it could be damaged or lost.
- To act in such a way that something bad could happen: This means to take a chance, knowing that an unfavorable outcome is possible.
Examples of Usage
Noun:
- There is a high risk of infection. (There is a strong possibility that infection could occur.)
- He saw the rewards but not the risks of crime. (He recognized the potential benefits but not the potential dangers of criminal activity.)
- Drinking alcohol is a health risk. (Consuming alcohol is a source of potential harm to one's health.)
Verb:
- We risked losing a lot of money in this venture. (We exposed ourselves to the possibility of losing a lot of money in this business endeavor.)
- Why risk your life? (Why would you put your life in danger?)
- She risked her job when she told the boss he was wrong. (She took the chance that she might lose her job by criticizing her boss.)
Advanced Usage
"At risk": in a situation where something bad is likely to happen.
- The coastal town is at risk of flooding. (The town is in a position where flooding is a strong possibility.)
"To run a risk" / "To take a risk": to do something that involves a chance of danger or failure.
- You run a risk of injury if you don't wear a helmet. (You expose yourself to the possibility of injury.)
- Investors must be willing to take risks. (Investors must be willing to accept the possibility of loss.)
"Calculated risk": a chance taken after careful estimation of the probable outcome.
- Launching the product now is a calculated risk. (It is a deliberate chance we are taking after evaluating the potential for success and failure.)
Variants and Related Words
Risky (adj): full of the possibility of danger, failure, or loss.
- It was a risky investment. (It was an investment with a high chance of losing money.)
Riskiness (n): the quality or state of being risky.
- The riskiness of the plan made everyone nervous. (The dangerous potential of the plan caused anxiety.)
Synonyms
- Noun: Hazard, peril, danger, threat, chance, possibility.
- Verb: Endanger, jeopardize, hazard, chance, venture, gamble.
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)
- Risk it: to decide to do something even though it is dangerous or might have a bad result.
- The weather looks bad, but let's risk it and go for a hike. (Let's take the chance and go hiking despite the poor weather.)
Related Idioms
At one's own risk: accepting responsibility for any harm or loss that might occur.
- You can leave your bike here, but you do so at your own risk. (If the bike is stolen or damaged, you are responsible, not me.)
Risk life and limb: to do something very dangerous.
- Firefighters risk life and limb to save people. (Firefighters put their lives in great danger.)
Noun
- the probability of being exposed to an infectious agent
- the probability of becoming infected given that exposure to an infectious agent has occurred
- a venture undertaken without regard to possible loss or injury
- he saw the rewards but not the risks of crime
- there was a danger he would do the wrong thing
- a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
- drinking alcohol is a health hazard
Verb
- take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
- When you buy these stocks you are gambling
- expose to a chance of loss or damage
- We risked losing a lot of money in this venture
- Why risk your life?
- She laid her job on the line when she told the boss that he was wrong