in danger

in danger — idiom

1. If a person or animal is in danger, they face a real chance of being physically

1.慣用語B1
釋義

If a person or animal is in danger, they face a real chance of being physically harmed — this can mean anything from minor injury to loss of life.

例句

Theo was in danger after his boat started drifting toward the waterfall.

be in danger + after + [event causing the danger]

Emre pulled his sister back — she had been in danger of stepping into traffic.

be in danger of + -ing form for the specific threat

同義詞
  • at risk

    more formal; often used in medical, financial, or official reports

  • in peril

    more dramatic or literary; suggests danger that is immediate and serious

  • threatened

    implies an outside force or person is causing the danger

  • in mortal danger

    explicitly about the risk of death; only for the most serious end of the spectrum

反義詞

用法筆記

Frequently takes 'in danger of + -ing' when the specific threat is named. The severity — from minor harm to life-threatening — depends on context.

常見錯誤

❌The old bridge is in danger of falling.' (when meaning the bridge itself could collapse).
✅Use sense 2 for things: 'The old bridge is in danger of collapsing.
💡sense 1 describes people and animals, not objects.

2. If a thing, building, or place is in danger, there is a real chance it will be d

2.慣用語B1
釋義

If a thing, building, or place is in danger, there is a real chance it will be damaged or destroyed.

例句

The old wooden bridge was in danger of collapsing after three days of heavy rain.

[thing] + be in danger of + [damage verb]

Saira's laptop was in danger when a cup of coffee spilled across her desk.

同義詞
  • under threat

    focuses on the external source of danger rather than the state

  • at risk of damage

    more formal; common in reports about buildings or the environment

  • vulnerable

    describes an ongoing weakness rather than a specific dangerous moment

反義詞

用法筆記

Subject is a thing, building, or place — not a person or animal. For living things, use sense 1 (BODILY HARM).

常見錯誤

❌She was in danger of being damaged by the storm.
✅She was in danger of being hurt by the storm.
💡'damaged' is for objects; use 'hurt' or 'harmed' for people (sense 1).

3. In a situation where something bad, undesirable, or harmful is likely to happen

3.慣用語B1
釋義

In a situation where something bad, undesirable, or harmful is likely to happen — the danger does not have to be physical.

例句

Nikos knew his job was in danger after the company announced deep budget cuts.

non-physical danger: a job, position, or status is at risk

The peace talks are in danger of falling apart after the violent attack.

be in danger of + -ing (non-physical outcome)

同義詞
  • in jeopardy

    very similar; slightly more formal and often used for plans or agreements

  • under threat

    focuses on the outside force causing the danger

  • at stake

    used when something valuable could be lost, not when someone could be hurt

反義詞
  • secure

    not at risk of a bad outcome

  • stable

    steady and unlikely to change for the worse

用法筆記

The most general sense — the danger can be physical or non-physical. Common with abstract nouns (job, plan, relationship, reputation). Distinguish from sense 1 (BODILY HARM): sense 3 does not imply anyone could be physically hurt.

常見錯誤

❌He is in danger of losing his life — he might miss the deadline.
✅He is in danger of losing his job.
💡'losing your life' belongs to sense 1 (physical danger); sense 3 is for non-physical bad results.