How to Use play it safe in a Sentence

play it safe

idiom
  • The Chiefs play it safe with a field goal to bring the score to 38-35 with just seconds left in the game.
    Rob Wile, NBC News, 13 Feb. 2023
  • Most of the articles out there are about what not to do, and how to play it safe.
    San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2022
  • If no emergency crews are on the scene, play it safe and call it in.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 15 July 2024
  • Half the golfers play it safe, while the others risk playing over the pines and water.
    Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 10 June 2022
  • To play it safe or take a chance -- that's the question the universe is asking you.
    Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2023
  • Red wine and coffee drinkers may want to find a darker shade to play it safe.
    Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 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
  • Be sure to check reports ahead of your visit and to play it safe, pack in layers.
    Emily Hochberg, Travel + Leisure, 17 July 2024
  • To start the second quarter, Tara VanDerveer didn’t play it safe.
    Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2024
  • However, Ohioans now have the option to play it safe or go big, knowing Barstool will aid them in the event of a loss.
    cleveland, 7 Jan. 2023
  • Word to the wise: these high-rise shorts run small and feature a non-stretch fabric, so play it safe by sizing up.
    Natalie Alcala, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 July 2023
  • The couple acknowledged that Hogsett tends to play it safe and doesn’t grab many headlines.
    Indystar Staff, The Indianapolis Star, 2 May 2023
  • The couple acknowledged that Hogsett tends to play it safe and doesn’t grab many headlines.
    Indystar Staff, The Indianapolis Star, 2 May 2023
  • Barnes stayed put though, unsure if the ball was going to bounce off the wall and electing to play it safe with only one out.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2022
  • People play it safe, looking for ways not to lose instead of playing to win.
    Ricky Muddimer, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
  • Coach Kelvin Sampson could play it safe this weekend and give Sasser some more rest.
    Dave Campbell, ajc, 15 Mar. 2023
  • With a gold medal in their back pockets, Shuster didn’t play it safe or get down on himself when things didn’t go well.
    Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2022
  • Invest in Yourself and Your Business We’ve often been told to play it safe and avoid taking risks.
    Melissa Houston, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024
  • Attending an event like Paris Fashion Week is not the time for celebrities to play it safe with their outfits.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2022
  • Reading the details of the case, Siddhant remembered again why Dalits tend to play it safe.
    Sonia Paul, Wired, 1 Mar. 2022
  • For example, to play it safe for a traditional formal event, a crisp dark suit will do the trick.
    Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 July 2024
  • The Dallas Cowboys are also expected to play it safe with Dak Prescott.
    Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY, 14 Aug. 2022
  • To play it safe, put money aside and try to diversify your income.
    Jack Kelly, Forbes, 6 July 2022
  • Where some would take that as an excuse to play it safe, creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker see it as clearance to do the opposite.
    Charles Bramesco, Chron, 9 Feb. 2023
  • All those stories do is foment fear and encourage these people to play it safe.
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2024
  • Tiff managed to convince Evvie and Liana to play it safe in case Xander had an immunity idol and put their votes on Voce.
    Joseph Longo, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2021
  • But last night’s decision by the CMAs to play it safe felt like a missed opportunity.
    Adam Gold, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2021
  • The highest-level estimator reasons about risk and figures out when to move fast and when to play it safe.
    Jacek Krywko, Ars Technica, 3 Apr. 2024
  • If any of the above descriptions match the state of your gasoline, play it safe and dispose of it appropriately.
    Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 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

Some of 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.

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