People face danger in many ways. Sometimes it’s a real emergency, like a fire or storm. Other times, it’s a risky choice or a scary moment. In English, there are special phrases called idioms that help us talk about danger. These idioms use simple words to share big ideas. They make what we say more interesting and easier to picture.
Idioms about danger can tell us when something is risky, scary, or a bad idea. They help people give warnings or explain how serious a situation is. Some idioms sound funny at first, but they have strong meanings. In this article, you’ll learn 28 idioms that describe danger. You’ll see what they mean, how to use them, and where they come from. These idioms can help you talk about danger in a smart and clear way.
Idioms About Danger
1. Playing with fire
Meaning: Doing something very risky.
Example Sentence:
– You’re playing with fire by lying to your teacher.
– Skating on the frozen lake is like playing with fire.
Other ways to say: Taking a big risk, asking for trouble
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea that fire is dangerous and can hurt you.
Usage: Used when someone is doing something that could cause harm.
2. Walking on thin ice
Meaning: Being in a risky or dangerous situation.
Example Sentence:
– You’re walking on thin ice by skipping your homework again.
– He was walking on thin ice when he talked back to the coach.
Other ways to say: Taking a chance, being close to trouble
Fun Fact/Origin: Thin ice can break and cause you to fall in water.
Usage: Used to warn someone that they are close to getting in trouble.
3. A ticking time bomb
Meaning: Something or someone that may become dangerous soon.
Example Sentence:
– His anger is like a ticking time bomb.
– That broken machine is a ticking time bomb.
Other ways to say: A danger waiting to happen, ready to explode
Fun Fact/Origin: A time bomb explodes after a set time.
Usage: Used when something could suddenly cause harm.
4. In hot water
Meaning: In trouble or danger.
Example Sentence:
– She was in hot water for being late again.
– I’m in hot water with Dad for breaking his phone.
Other ways to say: In trouble, caught doing something wrong
Fun Fact/Origin: Hot water used to mean a place of punishment.
Usage: Used when someone is facing trouble or blame.
5. Dicey situation
Meaning: A risky or unsafe moment.
Example Sentence:
– It was a dicey situation when the car ran out of gas.
– They were in a dicey situation while hiking in the storm.
Other ways to say: Risky moment, dangerous time
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from rolling dice, which is about chance.
Usage: Used when the outcome is not safe or certain.
6. At the edge of disaster
Meaning: Very close to something bad happening.
Example Sentence:
– The fire put the whole town at the edge of disaster.
– The building was shaking and at the edge of disaster.
Other ways to say: Nearly in big trouble, almost destroyed
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of standing near danger.
Usage: Used to describe very serious situations.
7. Skating on thin ice
Meaning: Taking big risks.
Example Sentence:
– You’re skating on thin ice talking back to your mom.
– Skating on thin ice in class might get you detention.
Other ways to say: Risking trouble, going too far
Fun Fact/Origin: Ice that’s too thin can crack and break.
Usage: Used to show someone is doing something risky.
8. Like a sitting duck
Meaning: An easy target for danger.
Example Sentence:
– Without the umbrella, he was a sitting duck in the rain.
– The slow player was a sitting duck on the field.
Other ways to say: Easy to attack, not protected
Fun Fact/Origin: Ducks sitting still are easy to catch.
Usage: Used when someone is unprotected or easy to hurt.
9. Out of the frying pan and into the fire
Meaning: Going from one bad situation to a worse one.
Example Sentence:
– He left a bad job but ended up in a worse one—out of the frying pan and into the fire.
– Running away made it worse. He went out of the frying pan into the fire.
Other ways to say: Making things worse, deeper in trouble
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from cooking—leaving one hot place for a hotter one.
Usage: Used when someone goes from bad to worse.
10. Playing Russian roulette
Meaning: Taking a huge and foolish risk.
Example Sentence:
– Not wearing a seatbelt is like playing Russian roulette.
– Speeding through red lights is playing Russian roulette.
Other ways to say: Risking your life, dangerous choice
Fun Fact/Origin: Based on a dangerous game with a gun.
Usage: Used for very dangerous actions.
11. A hair’s breadth away
Meaning: Very close to danger or disaster.
Example Sentence:
– We were a hair’s breadth away from crashing.
– She was a hair’s breadth away from getting hurt.
Other ways to say: Almost in danger, very close call
Fun Fact/Origin: “Hair’s breadth” means a tiny distance.
Usage: Used to show how close someone was to trouble.
12. In the line of fire
Meaning: In a place where harm could happen.
Example Sentence:
– He stood in the line of fire during the water balloon fight.
– The teacher was in the line of fire of students’ complaints.
Other ways to say: In danger’s path, open to attack
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from battle where bullets can hit.
Usage: Used when someone is at risk of being harmed.
13. Danger lurking around the corner
Meaning: Hidden danger is nearby.
Example Sentence:
– In the old house, danger was lurking around the corner.
– He didn’t see the dog, but danger was around the corner.
Other ways to say: Trouble hiding, secret danger
Fun Fact/Origin: “Lurking” means hiding and waiting.
Usage: Used when danger might appear suddenly.
14. Like a powder keg
Meaning: A situation that could explode anytime.
Example Sentence:
– The argument was like a powder keg.
– That room was so tense—it felt like a powder keg.
Other ways to say: Ready to blow up, very tense
Fun Fact/Origin: Powder kegs were used to hold gunpowder.
Usage: Used when things could go very wrong fast.
15. Flirting with disaster
Meaning: Doing something that may end badly.
Example Sentence:
– Driving in the storm was flirting with disaster.
– You’re flirting with disaster by climbing that fence.
Other ways to say: Asking for trouble, taking chances
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of teasing something dangerous.
Usage: Used when someone does something unsafe.
16. To be in harm’s way
Meaning: In a place where danger can reach you.
Example Sentence:
– The firefighter was in harm’s way during the rescue.
– Kids playing in the street are in harm’s way.
Other ways to say: In danger, at risk
Fun Fact/Origin: “Harm’s way” means danger’s path.
Usage: Used when someone is not safe.
17. Touch-and-go situation
Meaning: Very unsure or dangerous moment.
Example Sentence:
– The plane landing was a touch-and-go situation.
– It was touch-and-go if the dog would make it.
Other ways to say: Could go either way, very close call
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in flying when landings are risky.
Usage: Used when things might go badly or barely make it.
18. Close shave
Meaning: A near escape from danger.
Example Sentence:
– That was a close shave—we almost hit that deer!
– It was a close shave when he slipped on the ice.
Other ways to say: Near miss, almost hit
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from shaving—almost cutting skin.
Usage: Used when someone avoids danger just in time.
19. A wolf at the door
Meaning: Trouble or danger coming close.
Example Sentence:
– Losing his job put the wolf at the door.
– With no food left, they felt the wolf at the door.
Other ways to say: Trouble is near, hard times coming
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old tales where wolves meant danger.
Usage: Used when bad things are about to happen.
20. Red flag
Meaning: A sign that danger might come.
Example Sentence:
– His anger was a red flag to the teacher.
– Not wearing shoes in the lab is a red flag.
Other ways to say: Warning sign, danger alert
Fun Fact/Origin: Red flags are used to warn in races and beaches.
Usage: Used when something shows trouble is coming.
21. In the danger zone
Meaning: In a place or situation where you could get hurt.
Example Sentence:
– He was in the danger zone during the storm.
– Without a helmet, she’s in the danger zone.
Other ways to say: At risk, in a risky place
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used in sports, flying, or war.
Usage: Used when someone is exposed to danger.
22. On a knife’s edge
Meaning: In a very tense or risky situation.
Example Sentence:
– Their friendship was on a knife’s edge after the fight.
– The game was on a knife’s edge till the last second.
Other ways to say: On the brink, about to break
Fun Fact/Origin: A knife’s edge is sharp and thin—easy to slip.
Usage: Used when something could go bad very quickly.
23. To throw caution to the wind
Meaning: To take risks without being careful.
Example Sentence:
– He threw caution to the wind and climbed the fence.
– They threw caution to the wind and ran across the street.
Other ways to say: Be reckless, not careful
Fun Fact/Origin: It means tossing safety away like throwing something in the air.
Usage: Used when someone ignores danger signs.
24. To play it close to the edge
Meaning: Taking actions that are nearly too risky.
Example Sentence:
– He plays it close to the edge with those skateboard tricks.
– She plays it close to the edge when she skips her medicine.
Other ways to say: Nearly too risky, living on the edge
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from standing near the edge of something high or unsafe.
Usage: Used when someone is doing things that might go wrong.
25. Put yourself in the lion’s den
Meaning: Go into a very dangerous or scary place.
Example Sentence:
– He put himself in the lion’s den by joining the fight.
– She walked into the lion’s den when she stood up to the bully.
Other ways to say: Face danger, walk into trouble
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old stories where people were thrown to lions.
Usage: Used when someone chooses to face something very risky.
26. To tempt fate
Meaning: Doing something risky that could lead to trouble.
Example Sentence:
– Driving fast in the rain is tempting fate.
– He was tempting fate by swimming where there were warning signs.
Other ways to say: Risking bad luck, challenging danger
Fun Fact/Origin: “Fate” means what is meant to happen—often used for luck.
Usage: Used when people do things they know might end badly.
27. Breathing down your neck
Meaning: Feeling pressure or threat close by.
Example Sentence:
– The coach was breathing down his neck during practice.
– With the fire near, they felt danger breathing down their necks.
Other ways to say: Under pressure, danger is close
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the feeling of someone right behind you.
Usage: Used when trouble feels very close.
28. Head into the lion’s mouth
Meaning: Going straight into danger.
Example Sentence:
– By arguing with the boss, he went into the lion’s mouth.
– She headed into the lion’s mouth by telling the truth.
Other ways to say: Face danger directly, walk into trouble
Fun Fact/Origin: Similar to stories where heroes face lions.
Usage: Used when someone knowingly steps into danger.
Quiz: Idioms About Danger
Instructions: Read each question and the answer choices carefully. Pick the letter that best matches the meaning of the phrase or expression.
Question Key
1. What does “walking on thin ice” mean?
A) Walking on a frozen lake
B) Being close to trouble
C) Playing in the snow
2. If someone is “in hot water,” what’s happening?
A) They are cooking
B) They are having fun
C) They are in trouble
3. What does “like a sitting duck” mean?
A) Safe and calm
B) Easy to harm or attack
C) Swimming slowly
4. If someone “throws caution to the wind,” what are they doing?
A) Being very careful
B) Ignoring safety
C) Catching the wind
5. What does “a ticking time bomb” mean?
A) A clock that is broken
B) A toy that makes noise
C) Something that could go wrong at any moment
6. What does it mean when someone “tempts fate”?
A) Tries to win a prize
B) Takes a big risk
C) Makes a wish
7. What does “in the lion’s den” describe?
A) Playing with a pet
B) Going into danger
C) Visiting a zoo
8. If a situation is a “close shave,” what does that mean?
A) Someone just got a haircut
B) A narrow escape from danger
C) Someone is learning to shave
9. What does “red flag” mean?
A) A sign of danger
B) A colorful towel
C) A team logo
10. If someone is “on a knife’s edge,” what are they doing?
A) Cutting vegetables
B) Standing on a table
C) In a very risky or tense moment
Answer Key
- B) Being close to trouble
- C) They are in trouble
- B) Easy to harm or attack
- B) Ignoring safety
- C) Something that could go wrong at any moment
- B) Takes a big risk
- B) Going into danger
- B) A narrow escape from danger
- A) A sign of danger
- C) In a very risky or tense moment
Wrapping Up
Danger can show up in many ways—at home, outside, or even in choices we make. Idioms help people talk about danger clearly. They can show how close something is to going wrong or how risky a moment might be.
By learning these idioms, you now have stronger ways to describe risky situations. Whether you’re talking with friends, writing a story, or just trying to explain a tough moment, these idioms can help your words stand out and be understood. Keep using them and look out for more in everyday life.
