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Glite Dictionary
safe and sound

safe and sound

56 1.5
Not hurt and not in danger
  • idiom
  • /seɪf ənd saʊnd/
  • Informal
translation icon : sano y salvo
  • After the long journey, I was relieved to see that everyone arrived safe and sound.
  • home safe and sound
  • back safe and sound
  • here safe and sound

My whole family is safe and sound in all the places that we are.

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Examples

  • We're all here together safe and sound.

    Madagascar (2005)

  • I really missed him, and the relief at having him home safe and sound is pleasantly overwhelming.

    Blog text (25)

  • My whole family is safe and sound in all the places that we are.

    Adam Savage’s Tested

  • Back safe and sound on this Friday and I hope you are too.

    Megyn Kelly

  • Oh, honey, you are safe and sound.

    The Man in the White Van (2024)

  • Everyone is safe and sound.

    Cry-Baby (1990)

  • Bring my father back to me, safe and sound.

    Academic text (2007)

  • His mother would be frightened and relieved to know he was safe and sound after being in such danger.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • I'm glad you're safe and sound here with me.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • Hope you and your family stay safe and sound. - Hilary and Preet

    Blog text (9)

Synonyms

safe
vssafe and sound
∞ 1.0

Not likely to be harmed or in danger

describes actually being without harm and free from injury and danger
sound
vssafe and sound
58 2.3

In good condition and safe to use

emphasizes being free from harm or danger rather than general strength
unharmed
vssafe and sound
44 2.1

Not hurt or damaged after a dangerous event

stresses being free from danger as well as lacking injuries
unscathed
vssafe and sound
33 6.3

Not hurt or damaged after a bad event

focuses more on being not harmed rather than merely surviving danger
unhurt
vssafe and sound
7 1.0

Not physically injured after an accident or dangerous event

covers bodily protection and being free from danger beyond physical harm
uninjured
vssafe and sound
7 1.8

Not hurt physically

adds focus on being free from danger, not only absence of injury

Antonyms

injured
30 1.0

Physically hurt, often by an accident or attack

serious danger
12 2.8

A strong chance that people or property will be harmed

How Safe

safe and sound
  • Informal
56 1.5
safe
∞ 1.0
injured
30 1.0

Surface Forms

safe and sound positive

Morphology

safe + and + sound

Both constituents 'safe' and 'sound' independently mean 'protected' or 'undamaged', so a learner who knows these words can directly infer the combined meaning 'not harmed or injured'. This phrase functions as a simple intensifying coordination (repetition for emphasis) and has clear cross-linguistic parallels (e.g. French 'sain et sauf', Spanish 'sano y salvo'), supporting immediate comprehension.

Etymology

Safe and sound comes from putting together safe, meaning 'protected', and sound, an old word meaning 'healthy' or 'whole'. Picture someone arriving both protected and physically well, so it means 'not harmed'.