Taking Too Much Risk: English Vocabulary List

in a distance so short that may cause danger, problems, or annoyance

"The car came too close for comfort."

"The car missed the pedestrian by just a few centimetres which was far too close for comfort for everyone watching."

to put in great effort and take great risks to succeed or to fail trying

"It is a do or die situation for the team."

"The soldiers knew it was a do or die situation as they prepared to defend their position against the enemy attack."

to put everything at risk in order to achieve a particular goal

"We went for broke and invested all our money."

"The gambler decided to go for broke and bet all his remaining money on the last horse race of the day."

in a situation that involves a lot of risk and little support or evidence, especially one that arouses negative reactions in others

"I went out on a limb to support him."

"The politician went out on a limb by supporting the unpopular policy that most of his voters strongly opposed."

to do something that has the risk of death or serious injury

"Firefighters risk life and limb every day."

"The firefighter risked life and limb to rescue the family from the burning building late at night."

to say or do a thing that can put one in trouble or danger

"I stuck my neck out."

"He decided to stick his neck out and tell the manager that the whole project plan was completely wrong."

to be doing something that may get one into serious trouble or danger at any moment

"You are walking on thin ice by lying to her."

"You are walking on thin ice by criticising the boss because he has fired people for less than that."

to do something so risky that a person may lose their life because of it

"You take your life in your hands by speeding."

"He took his life into his own hands by climbing the mountain alone without any safety equipment or a guide."

by accepting the responsibility for all potential dangers and risks involved

"Enter the building at your own risk."

"Swimming in the dangerous river is at your own risk because there are no lifeguards on duty at all."

to increase the price of something

"The company upped the ante with a new offer."

"The new company upped the ante by offering better salaries than their competitors."

to sacrifice one's life so that someone or something can continue to exist

"He laid down his life for his country."

"The soldier was willing to lay down his life for his country and for the freedom of his people."

to take great risks that could result in one's own death

"He diced with death."

"The stuntman was known for his willingness to dice with death in every dangerous scene he performed."

to push the limits of safety or good fortune by doing something that may result in harm or disaster

"Don't tempt fate too much."

"Driving at excessive speeds in bad weather is a dangerous way to tempt fate and invite an accident."

to add to the risks or demands of a competition, dispute, etc. that will lead to either more benefits or losses

"They upped the ante."

"The poker player decided to up the ante, raising the stakes significantly with his remaining chips."