take a risk
Chance an outcome
To take a risk is to do something despite uncertainty about the outcome, accepting the possibility of loss or failure.
The phrase implies deliberate choice—you weigh potential consequences and proceed anyway: She took a risk and quit her stable job to start a business.
Taking a risk can be foolish or brave depending on the stakes and odds.
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
- experimentSystematic investigation procedure
- ventureRisky new undertaking
- dareChallenge to act boldly
- throw caution to the windAct recklessly, disregarding consequences
courage · speculate · hazard · roll the dice · gamble · jeopardize · entrepreneurship · probability · thrill-seeking · live on the edge · go out on a limb · bet the farm · resilience · fearlessness · judgment · uncertain · dice · reckless
- initiativego for it, initiating, proactive, initiative, act now
take a riskplay it safe
Avoid unnecessary chances
play safe · hedge one's bets · err on the side of caution · be careful · cover one's bases
take, risk, taken, risky, taking, risked, takes, risks, retake