a flight risk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a flight risk" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or security contexts to describe someone who is likely to flee to avoid prosecution or legal consequences. Example: "The judge deemed the defendant a flight risk and denied bail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is, however, certainly a flight risk.

The Economist

"We're a flight risk," he said.

The New York Times

Stanford is considered a flight risk.

The Guardian - Sport

He says Pistorius is a flight risk.

The Guardian

Botha said Pistorius was a flight risk.

The Guardian

Federal prosecutors described him as a flight risk.

The New York Times - Sports

On Monday, the department revoked more than $2m bail, saying he was considered a flight risk.

The Guardian - Music

An arrest warrant against Nasheed, seen by AFP, described him as a flight risk.

The Guardian

One might question whether they were really serial offenders posing a flight risk.

The Guardian - Opinion

She remains in federal custody because the authorities call her a flight risk.

The New York Times

The judge ruled that all three must remain in custody because they are a flight risk.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When arguing someone is "a flight risk", provide concrete reasons such as access to funds, foreign connections, or a history of evading authorities.

Common error

Don't assume someone is "a flight risk" solely based on the severity of the alleged crime; consider individual circumstances and history.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a flight risk" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a predicate nominative or an object complement. It describes a person's assessed likelihood of fleeing, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples where individuals are labeled as such by prosecutors and judges.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

12%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a flight risk" is a commonly used noun phrase, particularly in legal and journalistic contexts, to describe someone deemed likely to flee to avoid legal proceedings. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and conveys a specific meaning related to potential evasion. The analysis of usage patterns indicates that it is most frequently encountered in news and media, with less frequent occurrences in academic or scientific contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to provide supporting evidence and avoid assumptions based solely on the severity of the alleged crime. Related phrases such as "potential fugitive" or "risk of absconding" can provide alternative ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at risk of fleeing

Highlights the status of being in a condition or situation characterized by a high level of risk.

risk of absconding

Emphasizes the legal term for fleeing to avoid legal proceedings.

likely to abscond

A more concise phrasing of the legal concern about evading legal obligations.

potential fugitive

Focuses specifically on the act of fleeing or evading capture.

likely to flee

A straightforward description of the probability of escaping.

poses an escape threat

Highlights the threat that someone might try to escape.

potential escapee

Highlights the potential for someone to escape custody or supervision.

high elopement risk

Uses "elopement" to indicate a secret or sudden departure, typically from a controlled environment.

flight liability

Focuses on a legal expression of someone’s responsibility when it comes to escape.

person of interest who may flee

Specifies the person's status and their potential action.

FAQs

How is the term "a flight risk" used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "a flight risk" describes someone who is considered likely to flee or abscond to avoid prosecution or legal consequences. This assessment can influence decisions about bail and pre-trial detention.

What factors determine if someone is considered "a flight risk"?

Factors include the severity of the charges, the defendant's access to financial resources, their ties to foreign countries, prior history of evading law enforcement, and the strength of the evidence against them. A combination of these factors may lead a judge to consider someone "likely to flee".

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a flight risk"?

Depending on the context, alternatives could include "potential fugitive", "risk of absconding", or simply describing the person as "likely to flee".

Can someone be denied bail solely because they are deemed "a flight risk"?

Yes, if a judge determines that the defendant poses a significant flight risk and no conditions of release (such as surrendering a passport or wearing an ankle monitor) can reasonably assure their appearance in court, bail can be denied.