- safe
- safe1 W2S2 [seıf] adj comparative safer superlative safest▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(not causing harm)¦2¦(not in danger)¦3 safe place4 safe journey/arrival/return etc5¦(no risk)¦6¦(subject)¦7 to be on the safe side8 be in safe hands9 better (to be) safe than sorry10 safe in the knowledge that...11 a safe pair of hands12 safe!13¦(no problem)¦▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[Date: 1200-1300; : Old French; Origin: sauf, from Latin salvus 'safe, healthy']1.) ¦(NOT CAUSING HARM)¦not likely to cause any physical injury or harm≠ ↑dangerous▪ Don't go near the edge - it isn't safe.▪ Flying is one of the safest forms of travel.▪ a safe working environmentit is safe (for sb) to do sth▪ Is it safe to swim here?safe to use/drink/eat etc▪ The water is treated to make it safe to drink.safe for▪ play-areas that are safe for children(at/from) a safe distance▪ We watched from a safe distance.▪ Drivers should keep a safe distance from the car in front.safe driver▪ Women are safer drivers than men.2.) ¦(NOT IN DANGER)¦ [not before noun]not in danger of being lost, harmed, or stolen≠ ↑unsafe→↑safety▪ She doesn't feel safe in the house on her own.safe from▪ The birds' nests are high up, safe from predators.▪ Make sure you keep these documents safe .safe and sound/well(=unharmed, especially after being in danger)▪ The missing children were found safe and sound.3.) safe placea place where something is not likely to be stolen or lostkeep/put sth in a safe place▪ Keep your credit cards in a safe place.4.) safe journey/arrival/return etca journey etc when someone or something is not harmed or lost▪ His family celebrated his safe return home.safe journeyBrE (=said to someone when they start a long journey)▪ Dad rang to wish me a safe journey.5.) ¦(NO RISK)¦not involving any risk and very likely to be successful▪ a safe investment▪ a safe method of contraceptionit's safe to say/assume (that)▪ I think it's safe to say that the future is looking pretty good.be (as) safe as housesBrE (=be completely safe)6.) ¦(SUBJECT)¦a safe subject of conversation is not likely to upset anyone or make people argue▪ I kept to safe subjects, like the weather.7.) to be on the safe sidespoken to do something in order to be certain to avoid an unpleasant situation▪ I'd take an umbrella, just to be on the safe side.8.) be in safe handsto be with someone who will look after you very well▪ Everyone wants to feel that their children are in safe hands.9.) better (to be) safe than sorryspoken used to say that it is better to be careful, even if this takes time, effort etc, than take a risk that may have a bad result▪ Set the alarm clock - better safe than sorry!10.) safe in the knowledge that...completely certain that something is true or will happen▪ She went out, safe in the knowledge that no one else was awake.11.) a safe pair of handssomeone you can trust to do a difficult job without making mistakes12.) safe!BrE spoken informal used by young people to show approval of something▪ 'Alex is having a party.' 'Oh, safe!'13.) ¦(NO PROBLEM)¦BrE spoken informal used to say that something is good and that there is no problem▪ 'How's your new boss?' 'She's safe.'→play it safe at ↑play1 (9), it's a safe bet (that) at ↑bet2 (4), safe seat at ↑seat1 (2), sb's secret is safe (with sb) at ↑secret2 (1)safe 2safe2 na strong metal box or cupboard with special locks where you keep money and valuable things
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.
