in danger
in danger — 慣用語
1. If a person or animal is in danger, they face a real chance of being physically
身陷險境
人處於可能受傷或死亡的情境
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.
Theo was in danger after his boat started drifting toward the waterfall.
Theo 的船開始漂向瀑布時，他就身陷險境了。
be in danger + after + [event causing the danger]
Emre pulled his sister back — she had been in danger of stepping into traffic.
Emre 把妹妹拉回來——她差一點就走進車流中，當時身陷險境。
be in danger of + -ing form for the specific threat
Folake's grandmother was in danger when the hurricane reached the nursing home.
Folake 的祖母在颶風侵襲安養院時身陷險境。
Dr. Nakamura told the family their child was no longer in danger after the surgery.
Nakamura 醫生告知家屬，孩子手術後已脫離險境。
Anthony stayed behind to warn others, even though he knew he was in danger.
Anthony 明知身陷險境，仍留下來警告其他人。
- 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
- safe
not in any danger at all
- out of danger
was in danger before but is now safe
- safe and sound
completely unharmed after a dangerous event
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
2. If a thing, building, or place is in danger, there is a real chance it will be d
瀕臨損毀
物品面臨被破壞或毀滅的風險
If a thing, building, or place is in danger, there is a real chance it will be damaged or destroyed.
The old wooden bridge was in danger of collapsing after three days of heavy rain.
那座老木橋在連日大雨後瀕臨損毀，隨時可能坍塌。
[thing] + be in danger of + [damage verb]
Saira's laptop was in danger when a cup of coffee spilled across her desk.
Saira 的筆電在咖啡灑滿桌面時瀕臨損毀。
The ancient temple is in danger of being swallowed by the surrounding jungle.
古廟瀕臨損毀，四周叢林幾乎要把它吞沒。
Thousands of books were in danger after the library roof began to leak.
圖書館屋頂開始漏水後，數千本書籍瀕臨損毀。
The coastal village is in danger as the sea level rises higher each spring.
隨著海平面逐年上升，這座沿海村莊瀕臨損毀。
- 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
- secure
firmly protected from damage or destruction
- safe from harm
not at risk of being damaged
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
3. In a situation where something bad, undesirable, or harmful is likely to happen
岌岌可危
壞事可能發生，情況很不樂觀
In a situation where something bad, undesirable, or harmful is likely to happen — the danger does not have to be physical.
Nikos knew his job was in danger after the company announced deep budget cuts.
公司宣布大幅削減預算後，Nikos 的工作岌岌可危。
non-physical danger: a job, position, or status is at risk
The peace talks are in danger of falling apart after the violent attack.
暴力攻擊發生後，和平談判岌岌可危，隨時可能破裂。
be in danger of + -ing (non-physical outcome)
Tamar felt her close friendship with Jiwoo was in danger after the argument.
Tamar 覺得吵架後她與 Jiwoo 的友誼岌岌可危。
The entire project is in danger unless we can find more funding by Friday.
除非週五前找到更多資金，否則整個專案岌岌可危。
Minh's visa application was in danger because one key document was missing.
Minh 的簽證申請因一份關鍵文件缺失而岌岌可危。
- 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
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.