Out of Danger: English Vocabulary List

used for referring to a situation in which something dangerous is avoided just before it is too late for it to happen

"The accident was a close shave."

"The accident was a close shave and the car missed the pedestrian by mere inches."

to hastily leave a place, usually because of a possible danger or threat

"We got out of Dodge before the storm hit."

"When the police arrived the thieves decided to get out of Dodge as quickly as possible before they were caught."

not causing or involving any danger at all

"This place is safe as houses."

"Your money in this bank account is as safe as houses, so you should not worry at all."

to help a person get out of a situation that involves danger or difficulty

"He lied to save his own skin."

"The traitor saved his own skin by giving the enemy secret information about his former allies and friends."

as carefully as possible in order to avoid any risk

"I took an umbrella to be on the safe side."

"Let us leave ten minutes early to be on the safe side because there might be heavy traffic on the roads."

to escape or withdraw from a situation that is dangerous or unpleasant

"The army made a hasty retreat."

"When the angry dog started barking the children made a hasty retreat and ran back into the house."

to be out of a situation that is full of danger, trouble, or hardship

"He is out of the woods."

"Although the initial crisis has passed, the company is not yet out of the woods financially."

to unexpectedly provide someone with help when they face a danger or difficulty

"The call saved him by the bell."

"Just as he was about to confess, his lawyer arrived and saved him by the bell."

in the process of being taken care of or dealt with by someone who has the skill or experience

"Your children are in good hands here."

"Do not worry about your children because they are in good hands with our experienced babysitter."

to narrowly avoid a dangerous or undesirable situation

"I dodged a bullet by not buying that car."

"The company dodged a bullet when the competitor's product failed because it would have destroyed their sales completely."

used to say that everything is safe and someone can proceed to do something

"The coast is clear — come in now."

"The team waited until the coast was clear before presenting the proposal directly to the CEO."

to survive a danger or difficulty and be able to tell others about it

"He survived the accident to live to tell the tale."

"The hiker survived the avalanche and lived to tell the tale about his terrifying experience on the mountain."

in a place or position that is safe from danger or damage

"Put the glass out of harm's way."

"The mother moved her children out of harm's way when she saw the dangerous dog approaching."

to maintain control or prevent someone or something from advancing, causing harm, or becoming a threat

"He held his creditors at bay for a while."

"The mother bear fought bravely to keep the hungry wolves at bay and protect her cubs from danger."

a situation where one avoids a danger just before it is too late

"That was a close call."

"Swerving at the last second, the driver narrowly avoided a collision in a true close call."

no longer facing a difficulty, danger, or punishment

"You are off the hook this time."

"The evidence was weak so the suspect was let off the hook by the judge yesterday."

used when a person or thing is being looked after by a trustworthy and capable individual

"The baby is in good hands."

"With the experienced surgeon overseeing the operation, the patient was undoubtedly in good hands."