play it safe
idiom
: to be careful and avoid risk or danger
I decided to play it safe and leave early so that I would be sure to arrive on time.
Examples of play it safe in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After all, buying a house is one of the largest financial transactions people will ever undertake, so many choose to play it safe.
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Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
Don't play it safe, but be bold and lean into your vision of this world.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Jan. 2026
Harsh chemicals like bleach and abrasive scrubbers like steel wool can ruin your hardware, so check the manufacturer’s instructions and stick to gentle cleansers to play it safe.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026
The setup sounds wild, the cast is fearless, and Riley’s track record suggests this won’t play it safe.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play it safe
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Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
Don't play it safe, but be bold and lean into your vision of this world.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Jan. 2026
Harsh chemicals like bleach and abrasive scrubbers like steel wool can ruin your hardware, so check the manufacturer’s instructions and stick to gentle cleansers to play it safe.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026
The setup sounds wild, the cast is fearless, and Riley’s track record suggests this won’t play it safe.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for play it safe
Cite this Entry
“Play it safe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20it%20safe. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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