play it safe
idiom
: to be careful and avoid risk or danger
I decided to play it safe and leave early so that I would be sure to arrive on time.
Examples of play it safe in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Though Garcia pulled a bogey out with a wonderful backspin-heavy approach and solid putt, Burmester could play it safe and two-putt for a par and the win.
—
David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2024
To play it safe, the money is rolled into I.R.A.s and invested in low-yielding money-market vehicles, certificates of deposit or other cash equivalents.
—Brian J. O’Connor, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2023
Clearly the fanbase appreciated Cameron acting as a chaos agent and mixing it up in a house full of players that often prefered to play it safe and steady.
—EW.com, 10 Nov. 2023
Think of it as a dinner with the in-laws–play it safe (and avoid it if possible).
—Ginny Hogan, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
Real or not, play it safe and remember to always eat your doughnuts while walking forward, not backward.
—Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 1 Mar. 2024
People play it safe, looking for ways not to lose instead of playing to win.
—Ricky Muddimer, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
And if it's held anything spoiled, too hard to hand-wash or likely to contain harmful bacteria, play it safe and throw it out.
—Erin Clements, Peoplemag, 10 Feb. 2024
Quite surprisingly for a Grammys carpet, many attendees decided to play it safe, but still, a select few weren't afraid to be bold.
—Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 5 Feb. 2024
David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2024
To play it safe, the money is rolled into I.R.A.s and invested in low-yielding money-market vehicles, certificates of deposit or other cash equivalents.
—Brian J. O’Connor, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2023
Clearly the fanbase appreciated Cameron acting as a chaos agent and mixing it up in a house full of players that often prefered to play it safe and steady.
—EW.com, 10 Nov. 2023
Think of it as a dinner with the in-laws–play it safe (and avoid it if possible).
—Ginny Hogan, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
Real or not, play it safe and remember to always eat your doughnuts while walking forward, not backward.
—Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 1 Mar. 2024
People play it safe, looking for ways not to lose instead of playing to win.
—Ricky Muddimer, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
And if it's held anything spoiled, too hard to hand-wash or likely to contain harmful bacteria, play it safe and throw it out.
—Erin Clements, Peoplemag, 10 Feb. 2024
Quite surprisingly for a Grammys carpet, many attendees decided to play it safe, but still, a select few weren't afraid to be bold.
—Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 5 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'play it safe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near play it safe
Cite this Entry
“Play it safe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20it%20safe. Accessed 9 May. 2024.
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