risk

Done with the foreknowledge or forewarning that there is implied risk or danger which one must accept as one's own responsibility. When you choose to gamble, you do so at your own risk.

A risky action that has been carefully considered beforehand, in which the chance or likelihood of a beneficial outcome outweighs the risk or cost of failure. We decided to take the calculated risk of going to trial, rather than settling out of court.

To try to do something for which there is a high probability of a negative or unfortunate outcome. I'm taking a real risk hiring this guy, so you had better be right about him. You're never going to find real success unless you're willing to take a risk now and then.

in a situation where there is risk or hazard; in danger. (*Typically: be ~; put someone or something ~.) I refuse to put my family's welfare at risk by quitting my job. Your whole future is at risk if you don't stop smoking.

a chance of precipitation. (Used only in weather forecasting. There is no "risk" of hazard or injury involved.) And for tomorrow, there is a slight risk of showers in the morning. There is a 50 percent risk of rain tonight.

Fig. to accept the risk of physical harm in order to accomplish something. Look at that traffic! I refuse to risk my neck just to cross the street to buy a paper. I refuse to risk my neck at all.

to chance losing something on someone or something. I wouldn't risk any money on him. He's a poor credit risk. Don't risk your life on his being there to help you.

to take a chance that something (bad) will happen. I don't want to run the risk of losing my job. Don't worry. You won't have to run a risk.

(of something) Go to run a risk (of something).

to try something where failure or bad fortune is likely. Come on, take a chance. You may lose, but it's worth trying. I'm not reckless, but I don't mind taking a risk now and then.

to do something dangerous We risked our necks to rescue you and all you can say is “Gee whiz”?

to make possible a particular result When doctors fail to follow government guidelines, they run the risk of being sued by their patients.

to do something very dangerous where you might get hurt These skiers risk life and limb every day for the thrill of speed.

to do something very dangerous I'm not going to risk my neck climbing over a twenty-foot wall!

A chance taken after careful estimation of the probable outcome, as in Taking their dispute to arbitration was definitely a calculated risk. This term uses calculated in the sense of "planned with forethought," a usage from the mid-1800s. Its pairing with risk dates from World War II, when the chances for losing bombers were taken into account before a bombing mission was sent out. After the war the term was transferred to other undertakings where taking a chance to succeed had to be weighed against the costs of failure.

Also, risk one's neck. Take dangerous chances, as in There he was on the roof, risking life and limb to rescue the kitten, or I don't want to risk my neck contradicting him. The first hyperbolic expression, dating from the early 1600s, doesn't make sense, since if one loses one's life one also loses the use of one's limbs. The variant, used for risky undertakings of all kinds, physical and nonphysical, presumably alludes to being hanged or beheaded. Also see stick one's neck out.

Also, run the risk. Be subjected to danger, as in Hiding anything from customs means running a risk that you'll be caught, or Without the right postage and address, this package runs the risk of being lost. [Mid-1600s]

Risk something, gamble, as in I'll take a chance that he'll be on the next plane. [c. 1900]

In an endangered state, especially from lack of proper care: unsupervised children who are at risk of dropping out of school.