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danger zone

danger zone

13 3.8
An area or situation where people are likely to be hurt
  • noun
  • /ˈdeɪndʒər zoʊn/
translation icon : zona de peligro
  • During the briefing, the commander explained that the area ahead was a danger zone due to ongoing military operations.

You're also highly trained in being resourceful in completely unassisted danger zones.

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Examples

  • The red flags you see waving are telling you that you are entering a danger zone.

    Blog text (18)
  • You get paid for the time you spend in a danger zone.

    Blog text (4)
  • I feel that it may be a danger zone there with other vehicles there.

  • Except now is where we move into the danger zone.

  • The lower level is a danger zone.

  • I only felt complete when I was out there in the danger zone.

  • Since we are in the danger zone already, continued increases court disaster.

    Blog text (19)
  • You're in the danger zone.

  • You're in the danger zone here, Brad, and let me tell you why.

  • The first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, which starts on Wednesday, can be a danger zone for favorites.

    Blog text (14)

Synonyms

dangerous situation
vsdanger zone
44 2.9

A time when people could be hurt or killed

is the general label for any area or situation with high risk
war zone
vsdanger zone
28 4.8

A place that is badly damaged and dangerous, like after fighting

is broader, not limited to active fighting but to any high-risk situation
hot spot
vsdanger zone
  • Literature
11 5.6

A place where political unrest may lead to violence

is less specific about causes and covers any dangerous area or situation
combat zone
vsdanger zone
9 5.5

An area where soldiers are actively fighting during a war

covers all high-risk areas, not only those with active military fighting
trouble spot
vsdanger zone
9 3.7

A place where problems or fighting happen often

is wider, covering any area or situation with high risk of harm
kill zone
vsdanger zone
  • Jargon
9 8.4

An area where people are very likely to be killed during an attack

is broader, including nonlethal dangers as well as lethal risks
conflict zone
vsdanger zone
  • Literature
4 4.3

An area where soldiers or armed groups are fighting

is more general, including nonmilitary high-risk places as well
killing zone
vsdanger zone
  • NSFW
1 8.3

An area where many people die, often on a battlefield

is less narrowly lethal, applying to any situation with high danger
valley of death
vsdanger zone
  • Informal
1 9.0

A very dangerous situation where people may not survive

is a general term for high-risk areas rather than a dramatic metaphor
no-go area
vsdanger zone
  • Literature
1 7.5

A place people are afraid to enter or are not allowed to enter because it is dangerous

is more general, describing any high-risk area or situation
black zone
vsdanger zone
1 7.9

An area that is dangerous because many crimes happen there

is broader, applying to any high-risk place or situation not only crime
pestilential area
vsdanger zone
  • Formal
9.5

An area that is dangerous to health because of disease

is more general, covering many types of high risk beyond health threats

How Dangerous

no-go area
  • Literature
1 7.5
danger zone
13 3.8
safety zone
1 2.7

Surface Forms

danger zone singular
danger zones plural

Morphology

danger + zone

The meaning 'an area or situation with high risk' is directly derived from combining 'danger' (risk of harm) with 'zone' (a region), making the referent a region characterized by danger. This noun–noun composition is a common, cross-linguistic pattern (e.g., Spanish zona de peligro), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Danger zone comes from the image of a place surrounded by warning signs or tape that say danger and mark a zone to keep people out. So, calling something a danger zone means it is a place or situation with a 'high risk of harm' where people should stay away.