safe
safe — noun
- safesingular
- safesplural
1. a metal container with a lock, used in homes, banks, and shops to keep money, je
a metal container with a lock, used in homes, banks, and shops to keep money, jewellery, important documents, and other valuable things out of the reach of thieves or protected from fire and damage.
Aunt Ayana keeps her grandmother's pearl necklace in a small safe under her bed.
keep [valuable] in a safe
The hotel safe in the wardrobe lets guests store their passports and cash.
hotel safe — for storing valuables while travelling
Ryan opened the heavy steel safe and took out the contracts.
The thieves could not break into the bank's main safe.
We keep our important documents in a fireproof safe at home.
文法句型
often used in compounds (safe-deposit box, safecracker)
常見錯誤
safe — adjective
- safepositive
- safercomparative
- safestsuperlative
1. in a situation where nobody and nothing can hurt you; kept away from anything da
in a situation where nobody and nothing can hurt you; kept away from anything dangerous.
Hoa kept her passport in a safe place under the bed.
collocation: safe place
The children felt safe inside the school building during the storm.
feel + safe (subjective sense of security)
Adisa stayed safe by wearing a helmet whenever he rode his bicycle.
Quinn made sure the ladder was safe to climb before going up to the roof.
- secure
emphasises being firmly protected, often with locks or barriers
- protected
focuses on active measures taken to prevent harm
- out of danger
more emphatic; used after a crisis has passed
文法句型
safe from + danger/harm/threat
用法筆記
Often paired with 'from' to name the danger: 'safe from the storm', 'safe from attack'. Also common with 'keep' as a transitive phrasal verb ('keep someone safe').
常見錯誤
2. having gone through a dangerous situation without being hurt, damaged, or lost.
having gone through a dangerous situation without being hurt, damaged, or lost.
The firefighters brought every family member out of the burning house safe.
bring someone out safe (resultative pattern)
Cyrus returned from his hiking trip safe, though his backpack was torn.
return + safe (motion verb resultative)
All the passengers on the bus were safe after the accident on the highway.
The cat climbed down from the tree safe, with nothing more than muddy paws.
文法句型
arrive/return/come back + safe
用法筆記
This sense is resultative — it describes the outcome of a dangerous event. It typically appears after verbs of motion (return, arrive, emerge, come through) rather than before a noun. Compare 'a safe child' (sense 1, always protected) with 'the child is safe' (sense 2, after a fall).
常見錯誤
3. completely unharmed and without injury, especially after a difficult journey, lo
completely unharmed and without injury, especially after a difficult journey, long absence, or frightening experience.
Eli's family was relieved that he arrived safe and sound after the long flight.
idiomatic phrase: arrive safe and sound
The missing hikers were found safe and sound in a forest cabin three days later.
passive: were found safe and sound
Camila texted her mother to say she was safe and sound after the earthquake.
The package arrived safe and sound despite the rough handling at the airport.
- unscathed
more formal; suggests a dangerous event was narrowly avoided
- in one piece
informal; can apply to people or objects after a risky situation
文法句型
arrive/reach + safe and sound
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'safe and sound'. The 'and sound' part adds emphasis — 'sound' here means 'in good condition'. Unlike sense 2, this sense implies a positive emotional resolution (relief) and is typically used after journeys, searches, or crises with an uncertain outcome.
常見錯誤
4. not likely to cause injury, damage, problems, or negative consequences; posing l
not likely to cause injury, damage, problems, or negative consequences; posing little or no risk.
Is this water safe to drink after boiling it for five minutes?
pattern: safe to + verb
Saira checked that the playground equipment was safe for small children.
pattern: safe for + person
The wooden bridge did not look safe enough to walk across with a heavy load.
Hyun chose a safe route through the mountains that avoided the steep cliffs.
- harmless
stronger — cannot cause any harm at all; 'safe' allows for minor risk
- risk-free
informal; emphasises no chance of negative outcome
- non-hazardous
formal/technical, especially for chemicals or materials
文法句型
safe for + person/thing
safe to + infinitive
safe enough to + infinitive
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 describes a person's state (being free from danger), while sense 4 describes an activity, object, or situation (not causing danger). 'The children are safe' (sense 1) means they are not in danger; 'the pool is safe' (sense 4) means the pool will not harm them.
常見錯誤
5. (of a place, container, or location) designed or suitable for keeping things pro
(of a place, container, or location) designed or suitable for keeping things protected from theft, damage, or loss.
Joshua put his grandmother's ring in a safe drawer with a lock on it.
collocation: safe drawer / safe place
The museum keeps its most valuable paintings in a safe room that nobody can enter.
Ingrid found a safe spot under the stairs to store her emergency supplies.
The hotel provides a safe box in every room for guests to store their passports.
文法句型
a safe place/spot/area for + object
用法筆記
This sense specifically applies to a location or container. Use 'safe place' when talking about storage (a drawer, a cupboard, a room). Do not confuse with the noun 'safe' (sense 1 of noun), which is a metal box with a lock. This adjective describes the quality of a place; the noun names the object itself.
常見錯誤
6. carefully chosen or done so that there is little risk of failure, criticism, or
carefully chosen or done so that there is little risk of failure, criticism, or negative results; cautious rather than adventurous.
It is safe to say that Christopher will win the cooking competition this year.
pattern: it is safe to say that...
Hannah decided the train was safer than driving in the heavy snow.
comparative form: safer to + verb
Choosing a plain white shirt for the interview was the safe option.
The bank made a safe investment in government bonds rather than new companies.
- cautious
describes a person's careful behaviour rather than the choice itself
- sensible
implies good judgement, not just avoiding risk
- uncontroversial
specifically about opinions or statements that won't upset anyone
文法句型
it is safe to + verb
a safe + noun (bet/choice/assumption)
play (it) safe
用法筆記
This sense can have a slightly negative tone — a 'safe choice' may be sensible but also boring or unadventurous. The phrase 'play it safe' is a common idiom meaning to avoid taking risks. 'It is safe to say' is a fixed expression used before making a confident statement.
常見錯誤
7. describes a political constituency or elected position where one party wins so c
describes a political constituency or elected position where one party wins so consistently that another party has almost no chance of winning.
Hao's party has held this safe seat for over forty years.
collocation: safe seat
Trang rarely campaigns in the safe seat because her victory is nearly guaranteed.
predicative use: seat is safe
The seat has been safe for the Conservatives since the 1980s.
Candidates for a safe seat seldom worry about losing an election.
With such a large majority, the district is considered a safe seat.
- uncontestable
more formal; describes a position not seriously challenged
- unbeatable
focuses on the incumbent's strength rather than the district's history
- marginal
describes a seat where the result is uncertain
- swing seat
a seat that often changes between parties
用法筆記
Usually appears before the noun (a safe seat). Refers to the constituency itself, not to the candidate.
常見錯誤
8. in baseball, describes a batter or runner who reaches a base successfully before
in baseball, describes a batter or runner who reaches a base successfully before the opposing team can tag them out.
The umpire shouted 'safe' as Benjamin slid into second base.
umpire's call: 'safe'
Valentina was called safe at first base after a very close play.
passive: be called safe
Zayd was safe at third base after a close play, and the home crowd cheered.
The runner was safe by less than a second, beating the throw.
Maja's safe hit brought two runners home for her team.
- out
the opposite ruling when a runner fails to reach base in time
用法筆記
Only used in baseball contexts. The opposite call is out. Can be used as the umpire's exclamation (Safe!) or as a description (The runner is safe).
常見錯誤
9. used in casual conversation, especially among young people, to say that someone
used in casual conversation, especially among young people, to say that someone or something is good, likeable, or cool.
Tamar got tickets to the concert — that is so safe of her!
so safe — intensifier with slang approval
Lauren's new haircut is absolutely safe, I love it.
That film was proper safe, mate — you should watch it.
Reema said the party was safe, so we should definitely go.
Beatrix's playlist is always safe — every track is a hit.
- rubbish
British slang for something bad or low quality
用法筆記
Informal slang, most common among younger speakers in British English. Can describe both people (He's safe — he's a good person) and things (That tune is safe — that song is great).
常見錯誤
10. a one-word reply in casual talk, especially among young people, confirming that
a one-word reply in casual talk, especially among young people, confirming that you accept a suggestion, approve a plan, or take someone up on an offer.
Stephanie suggested pizza for dinner, and Nala simply said 'Safe.'
one-word reply accepting a suggestion
'I can give you a lift home.' 'Safe, thanks mate!'
When Hao offered to drive, Trang replied 'safe, appreciate it.'
Zayd proposed going to the beach, and everyone nodded and said 'safe.'
Reema said 'safe' when Lauren offered to share her lecture notes.
- nah
informal rejection of an offer or suggestion
用法筆記
Used as a stand-alone interjection in response to an offer or suggestion. Common in British youth slang. Unlike sense 9, this sense does not describe a person or thing — it is a reply token.