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to take risks

to take risks

56 3.2
Do things that might be dangerous to get something important
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : arriesgarse
  • And business is all about taking risks.
  • willingness to take risks
  • willing to take risks
  • likely to take risks

Go out there this year and take risks, be uncomfortable.

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Examples

  • You have to take risks and get out of your comfort zone because life is short.

  • Mentors also created opportunities for participants to take risks and learn new skills.

    Academic text (2015)
  • So remember, work hard, take risks, and focus, focus, focus.

  • So yeah, this is the summer to take risks, to make it count.

  • It's that that then allows them to explore, take risks, learn and grow.

  • I mean, if we're gonna make it, we got to take risks.

  • We have to take risks, and marriage is the ultimate risk.

  • Help the child to feel safe enough to take risks in the classroom.

    Academic text (2011)
  • We can do this by encouraging students to take risks and by ensuring that they are prepared to take them.

    Academic text (2008)
  • To succeed in business, you must take risks and embrace new opportunities.

Synonyms

to risk
vsto take risks
3.0

To do something that may cause harm or lead to loss

is usually done to achieve important or rewarding results rather than cause harm
to venture
vsto take risks
114 5.8

To go somewhere or do something that is risky

is about achieving important or rewarding ends rather than only facing danger
to take a chance
vsto take risks
91 3.3

To do something risky hoping for a good result

aims for important or rewarding achievement rather than any small gain
to gamble
vsto take risks
64 4.0

To take a risk hoping for a good result

pursues important rewards rather than simply seeking favor or advantage
to take a shot at
vsto take risks
  • Informal
45 3.7

To try to do something even when success is uncertain

is used for efforts toward important rewards rather than simple trials
to go out on a limb
vsto take risks
  • Informal
37 6.1

To risk doing or saying something to support an idea

is about obtaining important or rewarding results rather than only defending ideas
to take chances
vsto take risks
36 3.8

Do something risky hoping to do well

aims for important or rewarding outcomes rather than merely seeking success
to chance
vsto take risks
18 4.5

To risk doing something hoping for a good result

seeks important or rewarding results rather than only a positive outcome
to take a leap
vsto take risks
11 5.7

Make a brave decision even when it feels risky

seeks important achievements rather than merely making a bold move
to live on the edge
vsto take risks
  • Informal
11 7.4

Lead a life full of risk and excitement by doing dangerous things

is about attempting particular important outcomes rather than living dangerously
to tempt fate
vsto take risks
  • Informal
9 7.3

Take an unnecessary risk that might cause bad luck

is aimed at important rewards rather than taking needless danger
to take a gamble
vsto take risks
7 4.2

To do something risky hoping to get a good result

targets important or rewarding gains rather than any mere advantage
to throw caution to the wind
vsto take risks
  • Informal
7 7.3

Do something without worrying about the risks

is done to achieve important rewards rather than simply ignoring danger
to swing for the fences
vsto take risks
  • Informal
5 7.3

Try something risky to get a big reward

targets important results generally rather than only very large rewards
to take one's chance
vsto take risks
  • Informal
4 4.2

Try a risky action hoping it will work

aims at important or rewarding outcomes rather than seizing a single opportunity
to venture forth
vsto take risks
3 6.2

To go somewhere or do something even when it is risky

stresses the goal of important rewards rather than simply forward movement
to hazard
vsto take risks
2 5.1

To risk something important to try to gain something

focuses on achieving important rewards rather than merely seeking any gain
to run a risk
vsto take risks
2 3.0

To do something that might lead to harm or loss

often aims for important rewards despite possible harm or loss
to take a flyer
vsto take risks
  • Informal
1 8.5

To try something risky when the result is not certain

aims for important or rewarding goals rather than acting only from uncertainty
to seek adventure
vsto take risks
1 3.7

To look for new, exciting experiences that may be risky

is focused on important rewards rather than seeking excitement or novelty
to put on the line
vsto take risks
1 6.4

Risk something important, like money, life, or reputation

is usually aimed at gaining important rewards rather than jeopardizing something for nothing
to leap into the unknown
vsto take risks
  • Informal
1 7.3

To do something risky without knowing what will happen

seeks important or rewarding outcomes rather than merely exploring the unknown
to take a dare
vsto take risks
1 5.6

To accept and try something difficult or risky that someone challenges you to do

is motivated by achieving important outcomes rather than by answering a challenge
to risk it for the biscuit
vsto take risks
  • Slang
9.6

Take a chance to get a reward

is similar but expressed in neutral standard language rather than informally
to adventure
vsto take risks
5.8

To risk something valuable hoping to get a good result

aims for important or rewarding outcomes rather than seeking excitement alone

Antonyms

Choose a careful option to avoid risks

How Risky

to tempt fate
  • Informal
9 7.3
to take risks
56 3.2

Surface Forms

take risks infinitive
taking risks present participle
takes risks third person singular
took risks past
taken risks past participle

Morphology

take + risk

The meaning 'to do things that may have dangerous or uncertain results' is directly derivable from combining 'take' (to accept or undertake) with 'risk(s)' (possibility of loss or harm). This verb + noun collocation follows a common, cross-linguistic pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Take risks comes from a simple image: you take meaning 'pick up' and carry a risk into a new situation. That's why it means 'to do things that might be dangerous or uncertain' to try to get something important.