here be dragons
Unknown territory ahead
Here be dragons is a phrase suggesting unknown or dangerous territory ahead.
The expression evokes medieval maps that supposedly marked unexplored regions with dragons or sea monsters—though historical examples are rare.
It now signals caution about venturing into unfamiliar areas: Here be dragons—I've never tried to configure the server myself.
Programmers use it to warn about treacherous code.
- old mapsDated geographic documents
- unchartedNot yet documented
- uncharted territoryUnmapped, unexplored area
- unknownNot yet discovered
- mapmakerOne who charts terrain
cartography · medieval · sea monsters · terra incognita · exploration · perilous · wilderness · legend · myth · warning · serpents · edge · boundary · mystery · ancient · age of exploration · parchment · sailors
- Uncharted Placesterra incognita, uncharted waters, unexplored territory, blank spot, unknown waters
- Map odditiesBermuda Triangle, phantom islands, terra incognita, exclaves, enclaves
- old mapsancient maps, vintage maps, atlas, portolan charts, printed maps
- phantom geographyphantom islands, Atlantis, Lemuria, Mu, terra incognita
here be dragonssafe harbor
Protected place for vessels
safe passage · smooth sailing · all clear · sanctuary · haven
here be dragonsknown world
Extent of human geography
beaten path · home turf · known quantities · civilization · old world
here, dragons, hereabout, hereabouts, hereafter, hereby, herein, hereof, hereto