Taking Risks: English Vocabulary List

used to suggest that gambling can be addictive and can lead people to engage in other vices or immoral activities

"Gambling leads nowhere good — a pack of cards is the devil's prayer book."

"The addiction began with what seemed like harmless games — a pack of cards is the devil's prayer book."

used to warn against making jokes or jests about serious or dangerous matters, implying that casual or lighthearted engagement with dangerous people or things can be risky or even harmful

"Do not joke with dangerous things — it is ill jesting with edged tools."

"She warned the team not to treat the legal exposure lightly — it is ill meddling with edged tools."

used to imply that it is not enough to simply stay safe and comfortable, in order to achieve our full potential, we must take risks and step outside of our comfort zones

"Security is not the purpose of life — a ship in a harbour is safe, but that is not what a ship is for."

"She left her stable job to sail around the world, believing that a ship in a harbour is safe, but that is not what a ship is for."

used to point out the potential negative outcomes or drawbacks of engaging in gambling or reckless behavior

"Betting is a fool's way to settle an argument — a wager is a fool's argument."

"They were about to bet on the outcome when someone reminded them that a wager is a fool's argument."

used to imply that someone engaged in a dangerous or risky endeavor may find it difficult to quit or change course, even if they want to, due to the potential consequences of doing so

"If you start something risky, it is hard to stop — he who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount."

"Having committed to the aggressive expansion, the board found itself trapped — he who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount."

used to warn that in a risky situation, one may have to choose between losing what they already have or taking a chance to gain something else

"Take the risk or get nothing — lose the horse or win the saddle."

"She put everything into the bid — lose the horse or win the saddle."

used to imply that one must dare to take risks in order to achieve something or to be successful

"Just apply for the course — nothing ventured, nothing gained."

"The company took a calculated risk entering a new market, knowing that nothing ventured, nothing gained."

used to imply that one desires something but lacks the willingness to put in effort or take risks to achieve it, suggesting a lack of ambition or laziness

"She wants the reward but not the effort — the cat would eat fish but would not wet her feet."

"He wanted the promotion but refused to take on extra responsibility — the cat would eat fish but would not wet her feet."

used to imply that in order to achieve success or acquire valuable things or experiences, one must be willing to take risks and try new things

"If you do not take risks, you cannot grow — if you do not speculate, you cannot accumulate."

"The conservative investment strategy produced nothing — if you do not speculate, you cannot accumulate."

used to suggest that one must be bold and take risks to achieve one's goals

"Be brave or you will never get what you want — faint heart never won fair lady."

"He had hesitated too long and lost the opportunity — faint heart never won fair maiden."

used to suggest that one must be bold and take risks to achieve one's goals

"Be bold for success."

"Remember, faint heart never won fair lady; courage is essential for achieving your desires."