risk

at (one's) own risk

Done with the foreknowledge or forewarning that there is implied risk or danger which one must accept as one's own responsibility. When you choose to gamble, you do so at your own risk.
See also: own, risk

at risk

1. In danger. Well, when you're involved in a pyramid scheme, you're at risk for losing a lot of money. Because I have poor vision, I'm worried that my daughter is at risk for it too.
2. Responsible for a cost or expense. If you sign this contract, you'll be at risk for a lot of fees.
See also: risk

at risk to (someone, something, or oneself)

With the foreknowledge, forewarning, or acknowledgement that there is implied risk or danger that must be accepted as the responsibility of someone, something, or oneself. When you choose to gamble, you do so at risk to your bank account.
See also: risk

at the risk of (doing something)

Said to acknowledge that what one is about to say or do could (and probably will) have a particular negative result (which is stated after "of"). At the risk of sounding stupid, who was the second president of our country?
See also: of, risk

calculated risk

A risky action that has been carefully considered beforehand, in which the chance or likelihood of a beneficial outcome outweighs the risk or cost of failure. We decided to take the calculated risk of going to trial, rather than settling out of court.
See also: calculated, risk

do (something) at (one's) own risk

To do something with the foreknowledge or forewarning that there is implied risk or danger that one must accept as one's own responsibility. When you choose to gamble, you do so at your own risk.
See also: own, risk

risk (one's) neck

To do something that might cause severe injury or death. Today we pay our respects to the brave men and women who risk their necks every day to keep our country safe. I'm sure it's thrilling, but I'd rather not risk my neck just for a bit of an adrenaline rush.
See also: neck, risk

risk (something) on (someone or something)

To expose oneself to the chance of losing something by betting or relying on someone or something. My father once risked his entire life savings on the outcome of a horse race. We're risking a lot on you, Tom—don't make us regret our decision to put you in charge of this project.
See also: on, risk

risk life and limb

To do something that might cause severe injury or death. Today we pay our respects to the brave men and women who risk life and limb every day to keep our country safe. I'm sure it's thrilling, but I'd rather not risk life and limb just for a bit of an adrenaline rush.
See also: and, life, limb, risk

risk of (some inclement weather)

A significant chance of some kind of unpleasant weather, such as rain, snow, lightning, etc., occurring. I just heard that there's a risk of rain tomorrow. I hope our football game doesn't get canceled. You should never set off on a hike when there's a risk of lightning.
See also: of, risk

run a risk

To subject oneself to a particular risk or a high probability of a negative or unfortunate outcome. You always run a risk of upsetting your most loyal fans if you try to do something too innovative with subsequent films. I'd love to pay less taxes, but I'm not going to run a risk by doing so!
See also: risk, run

run the risk

To subject oneself to a particular risk or a high probability of a negative or unfortunate outcome. You always run the risk of upsetting your most loyal fans if you try to do something too innovative with subsequent films. He knew he would be risking jail time for evading his taxes, but he was willing to take the risk.
See also: risk, run

run the risk of (something)

To subject oneself to a particular risk or a high probability of some negative or unfortunate outcome. You always run the risk of upsetting your most loyal fans if you try to do something too innovative with subsequent films. I'd love to pay less taxes, but I'm not going to run the risk of going to jail for it!
See also: of, risk, run

take a chance

To try to do something that has a high probability of having a negative or unfortunate outcome. I'm taking a real chance hiring this guy, so you had better be right about him. You're never going to find real success unless you're willing to take a chance now and then.
See also: chance, take

take a risk

To try to do something for which there is a high probability of a negative or unfortunate outcome. I'm taking a real risk hiring this guy, so you had better be right about him. You're never going to find real success unless you're willing to take a risk now and then.
See also: risk, take
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*at risk

in a situation where there is risk or hazard; in danger. (*Typically: be ~; put someone or something ~.) I refuse to put my family's welfare at risk by quitting my job. Your whole future is at risk if you don't stop smoking.
See also: risk

risk of rain

 and risk of showers; risk of thunder(-storms)
a chance of precipitation. (Used only in weather forecasting. There is no "risk" of hazard or injury involved.) And for tomorrow, there is a slight risk of showers in the morning. There is a 50 percent risk of rain tonight.
See also: of, rain, risk

risk one's neck (to do something)

Fig. to accept the risk of physical harm in order to accomplish something. Look at that traffic! I refuse to risk my neck just to cross the street to buy a paper. I refuse to risk my neck at all.
See also: neck, risk

risk something on someone or something

to chance losing something on someone or something. I wouldn't risk any money on him. He's a poor credit risk. Don't risk your life on his being there to help you.
See also: on, risk

run a risk (of something)

 and run the risk (of something)
to take a chance that something (bad) will happen. I don't want to run the risk of losing my job. Don't worry. You won't have to run a risk.
See also: risk, run

run the risk

(of something) Go to run a risk (of something).
See also: risk, run

take a chance

 and take a risk
to try something where failure or bad fortune is likely. Come on, take a chance. You may lose, but it's worth trying. I'm not reckless, but I don't mind taking a risk now and then.
See also: chance, take
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

at risk

1. In danger, as in Their house's location on the San Andreas Fault puts them at risk in the next major earthquake . [c. 1900]
2. Legally responsible to pay for loss or damage, as in If he can't keep up with the insurance premiums, he is at risk for any liability claims on the property . [Late 1700s]
See also: risk

calculated risk

A chance taken after careful estimation of the probable outcome, as in Taking their dispute to arbitration was definitely a calculated risk. This term uses calculated in the sense of "planned with forethought," a usage from the mid-1800s. Its pairing with risk dates from World War II, when the chances for losing bombers were taken into account before a bombing mission was sent out. After the war the term was transferred to other undertakings where taking a chance to succeed had to be weighed against the costs of failure.
See also: calculated, risk

risk life and limb

Also, risk one's neck. Take dangerous chances, as in There he was on the roof, risking life and limb to rescue the kitten, or I don't want to risk my neck contradicting him. The first hyperbolic expression, dating from the early 1600s, doesn't make sense, since if one loses one's life one also loses the use of one's limbs. The variant, used for risky undertakings of all kinds, physical and nonphysical, presumably alludes to being hanged or beheaded. Also see stick one's neck out.
See also: and, life, limb, risk

run a risk

Also, run the risk. Be subjected to danger, as in Hiding anything from customs means running a risk that you'll be caught, or Without the right postage and address, this package runs the risk of being lost. [Mid-1600s]
See also: risk, run

take a chance

Risk something, gamble, as in I'll take a chance that he'll be on the next plane. [c. 1900]
See also: chance, take
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

risk life and limb

If you risk life and limb, you do something very dangerous that may cause you to die or be seriously injured. He is not prepared to risk life and limb on this dangerous track to win the title. She gets a thrill risking life and limb by leaping off cliffs and mountains.
See also: and, life, limb, risk

risk your neck

If you risk your neck, you do something dangerous which could cause you to die or be injured. I wasn't going to risk my neck in fast-flowing water to rescue a stupid cat. I won't have him risking his neck on that motorcycle.
See also: neck, risk
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

take a ˈchance (on something)

do something without being sure of success: We took a chance on being able to get tickets on the day of the match, but they were sold out.
See also: chance, take

at ˈrisk (from/of something)

in danger of something unpleasant or harmful happening: As with all diseases, certain groups will be more at risk than others. If we go to war, innocent lives will be put at risk.
See also: risk

at the ˈrisk of doing something

used to introduce something that may sound stupid or may offend somebody: At the risk of showing my ignorance, how exactly does the Internet work?
See also: of, risk, something

at risk to yourself/somebody/something

with the possibility of harming yourself/somebody/something: He dived in to save the child at considerable risk to his own life.
See also: risk, somebody, something

do something at your ˌown ˈrisk

do something even though you have been warned about the possible dangers and will have to take responsibility for anything bad that happens: Persons swimming beyond this point do so at their own risk (= on a notice). Valuables are left at their owner’s risk (= on a notice).
See also: own, risk, something

risk ˌlife and ˈlimb

risk being killed or injured in order to do something: She risked life and limb to save her son from the fire.
See also: and, life, limb, risk

risk your ˈneck

(informal) take a big risk by doing something dangerous, stupid, etc: I’m not going to risk my neck complaining about the boss. OPPOSITE: save somebody’s/your (own) neck/skin/hide
See also: neck, risk

run the ˈrisk (of doing something)

,

run ˈrisks

be or put yourself in a situation in which something bad could happen to you: We’d better give them what they want. We don’t want to run the risk of losing their business. Investment is all about running risks.
See also: risk, run

take a ˈrisk

,

take ˈrisks

do something even though you know that something bad could happen as a result: That’s a risk I’m not prepared to take. You have no right to take risks with other people’s money. OPPOSITE: play (it) safe
See also: risk, take
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

at risk

In an endangered state, especially from lack of proper care: unsupervised children who are at risk of dropping out of school.
See also: risk
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

calculated risk

An action taken even though it might fail, because not taking it might be more dangerous. The term comes from World War II, where it was applied to the chances of losing bombers, personnel and equipment, weighed against the benefits of hurting the enemy. It soon was transferred to other situations. For example, “‘You don’t know a thing about him.’—‘It’s a calculated risk’” (Robert A. Heinlin, Double Star, 1956), or “We took the calculated risk of . . . using inanimate mother surrogates rather than real mothers” (Science, Aug. 21, 1959).
See also: calculated, risk

risk life and limb, to

To take a serious chance; to jeopardize one’s life. This extravagant hyperbole for courting danger has been around since the seventeenth century, even though strictly speaking it makes little sense (life, after all, comprises one’s limbs as well). “The Turk meddles not with life and limb,” wrote James Howell in a letter (1623), and Thomas Burton’s diary entry of 1658 states, “They venture life and member.”
See also: and, life, risk
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • at (one's) own risk
  • do (something) at (one's) own risk
  • do something at your own risk
  • peril
  • at (one's) own peril
  • at your peril
  • at risk to (someone, something, or oneself)
  • at risk to yourself/somebody/something
  • at will
  • at (one's) doorstep
References in periodicals archive
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Frequent male condom use decreases women's risk of HPV infection
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Risky business
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Wall Street's derivatives casino: is today's eerily tranquil scene an illusion?
Rather than require every department in the university to fill out risk assessment forms, GMU's EERMG members first identified which departments were most relevant to business continuity planning.
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Even the pioneers and leaders in cyberspace were confronted with unanticipated risks. Do you recall all of the patches Microsoft had to develop to address security issues within its various versions of the Windows operating system?
Cyberspace--risks in a networked world: risk management
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Assessing risk: AICPA's new risk assessment standards present a sea change for auditors
Among the reactions was one of dismay, with many in the airline industry concerned that air travelers would be facing additional risks because of the TSA's actions.
More TSA Changes for Prohibited Items
Several recent studies have addressed the use of risk assessment to identify children who are likely to have reactive TST results (14-18).
Tuberculin skin testing in children
While no magic formula exists for corporations to assess and mitigate information risk on an enterprise-wide scale, effective risk management can mitigate or reduce risk to a level that is acceptable to an organization.
Managing risk in the storage environment: the realities of risk
"If you don't eliminate the bias caused by smoking, it will artificially inflate the risk of dying among the lean and underestimate the risk of dying in the overweight," explains JoAnn Manson, chief of the Division of Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and professor of epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health.
The weight debate: is that spare tire a lifesaver?
Regardless of the specific threats involved, risk assessment may be based on intuitive, relatively informal qualitative approaches or on more structured, formalized quantitative methods.
Risk analysis and control: vital to records protection: identifying and preventing risk is smart business practice. This excerpt from Records and Information Management: Fundamentals of Professional Practice gives the fundamentals of assessing risk in your records operations, putting a prevention plan in place, and auditing that plan for compliance
The distinction between these two pathogenetic mechanisms is relevant to understanding whether early environmental risk factors play a role in the pathogenesis of PD.
The role of early life environmental risk factors in Parkinson disease: what is the evidence?
They tell you in business school that reward loves risk and, apparently, that's the case in Latin America for multinational companies.
Risky business: political risks still abound for foreign companies in Latin America, and insurers are there to profit