risk

risk¹ W1S2 [rısk] n

[Date: 1600-1700; : French; Origin: risque, from Italian risco]

1.) [U and C]

the possibility that something bad, unpleasant, or dangerous may happen

= ↑danger

→↑gamble, chance ↑chance risk of

▪ the risk of serious injury

▪ There is a risk that the crisis may spread further.

risk to

▪ There is no risk to public health.

▪ Healthy eating can help reduce the risk of heart disease.

▪ The birds could pose a serious health risk for people who eat them.

▪ I never walk home alone at night - it's not worth the risk .

▪ Building work has a high risk of accident.

▪ a low-risk group for lung cancer

▪ an increased risk of skin cancer

▪ things that pose a real risk to the future of mankind

▪ It was a calculated risk to appoint a man without management experience to such a senior post.

▪ There's an element of risk in any kind of investment.

▪ the risks associated with drug use

▪ the risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome

▪ The benefits to patients who are taking the drug far outweigh the risks .

2.) take a risk

to decide to do something even though you know it may have bad results

▪ Isn't he taking a bit of a risk in coming here?

take the risk of doing sth

▪ I couldn't take the risk of leaving him alone even for a short time.

▪ Many people are willing to take that risk in order to protect their families.

3.)

something or someone that is likely to cause harm or danger

risk to

▪ Polluted water supplies are a risk to public health.

▪ They didn't pose a significant risk to safety.

▪ Meat from the infected animals is regarded as a serious health risk (=something likely to harm people's health) .

▪ The tyre dump is a major fire risk (=something that could cause a dangerous fire) .

▪ She's becoming a security risk (=someone who may tell important secrets to an enemy) .

4.) at risk

in a situation where you may be harmed

▪ We must stop these rumours; the firm's reputation is at risk.

at risk from

▪ Women are more at risk from the harmful effects of alcohol than men.

at risk of

▪ Their children are also at high risk of developing the disease.

▪ That would mean putting other children at risk .

5.) run a risk

to be in a situation where there is a possibility that something bad could happen to you

run the risk of doing sth

▪ Anyone travelling without a passport runs the risk of being arrested.

6.) at the risk of doing sth

used when you think that what you are going to say or do may have a bad result, may offend or annoy people etc

▪ At the risk of sounding stupid, can I ask a question?

▪ Will they go ahead with their plans, even at the risk of offending the Americans?

7.) at your own risk

if you do something at your own risk, you do it when you understand the possible dangers and have been warned about them

▪ You can use it, but it's at your own risk.

▪ All personal belongings are left at the owner's risk.

8.)

a person or business judged according to the danger involved in giving them insurance or lending them money

good/bad/poor risk

▪ Drivers under 21 are regarded as poor risks by insurance companies.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

COLLOCATES for sense 1

risk (that)

reduce/minimize the risk of something

increase the risk of something

carry/pose a risk

not be worth the risk

high/low risk

increased/reduced risk (=a higher or lower risk than usual)

a real risk

a calculated risk (=a risk you think will have a good result)

an element of risk (=some risk, but not much)

the risks involved in/associated with something

risk factor

the benefits outweigh the risks

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

risk ²

risk² v [T]

1.) to put something in a situation in which it could be lost, destroyed, or harmed

→↑gamble

▪ When children start smoking, they don't realize that they're risking their health.

risk sth to do sth

▪ He's prepared to risk everything to avoid this war.

risk sth on sth

▪ You'd be crazy to risk your money on an investment like that!

▪ He risked his life helping others to escape.

▪ I'm not going to risk my neck (=risk my life) just to save a common criminal.

▪ Why risk life and limb (=risk your life and health) jumping out of a plane just to raise money for charity?

2.) to get into a situation where something unpleasant may happen to you

→↑endanger risk doing sth

▪ They may even risk losing their homes.

risk defeat/death etc

▪ He would prefer not to risk another embarrassing defeat.

▪ Some people are prepared to risk imprisonment for what they believe.

risk being seen/caught/arrested etc

▪ Workers who broke the strike risked being attacked when they left the factory.

3.) to do something that you know may have dangerous or unpleasant results

risk doing sth

▪ Are you prepared to risk traveling without an armed guard?

▪ She risked a glance back over her shoulder.

▪ You could slip out of school between classes, but I wouldn't risk it .