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Glite Dictionary
to run with scissors

to run with scissors

4 8.5
To act in a risky way without thinking about the bad results
  • idiom
  • Informal
: hacer locuras
  • Yeah, don't run with scissors.

Examples

  • Parents often warn their kids not to run with scissors to prevent accidents.

  • I learned the hard way that you shouldn't run with scissors in a crowded room.

  • It's unsafe to run with scissors near other children.

Synonyms

to play with fire
vsto run with scissors
  • Informal
26 5.8

To take a big risk that can cause harm

is reckless risk taking that ignores possible consequences
to throw caution to the wind
vsto run with scissors
  • Informal
10 7.3

Do something without worrying about the risks

is often less deliberate in dismissing risks and more careless
to play fast and loose
vsto run with scissors
  • Informal
9 8.0

Act in a careless way by ignoring rules and other people's feelings

is about hazardous actions focused on physical risk rather than rule breaking
to skate on thin ice
vsto run with scissors
  • Informal
4 6.8

To take a risk that can get you in trouble

is more openly dangerous and ignores consequences
to walk on a razor's edge
vsto run with scissors
  • Informal
1 8.6

To be in a very dangerous situation where a small mistake causes big harm

focuses on being in danger rather than choosing dangerous acts

Antonyms

to play it safe
46 3.4

Choose a careful option to avoid risks

How Reckless

to run with scissors
  • Informal
4 8.5
careless
66 1.0
to be careful
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

run with scissors infinitive
ran with scissors past
run with scissors past participle
running with scissors present participle
runs with scissors third person singular

Morphology

run + with + scissors

The phrase describes the literal action of running while holding scissors, and the danger implied is directly predictable from combining 'run' + 'with' + 'scissors'. This is a common admonition (not a metaphorical idiom) in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the warning and the extended sense 'don't behave recklessly'.

Etymology

The idiom run with scissors comes from the picture of a child holding sharp scissors and running, which can easily lead to a bad cut. So now the phrase means 'to act in a dangerous or careless way without thinking about the possible harm'.