a lurking danger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lurking danger" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a hidden or not immediately obvious threat that may cause harm or trouble. Example: "While the project seemed to be progressing smoothly, there was a lurking danger of budget overruns that could jeopardize its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

There's a lurking danger in these kinds of narratives, as well.

The New York Times

What if fatness, even obesity, is less a lurking danger than a likely destiny, and the surprise isn't how many seriously overweight people are out there but how few?

The New York Times

They were powerful, these "New Pictures from Paradise", but perhaps they also signalled a lurking danger: how fertility and abundance can become self-obstructing, how the over-grown might turn into the over-blown.

The Guardian - Arts

Re the Personal Health column "For Mother and Child, a Lurking Danger" (Nov. 23): Obesity is a leading risk factor in the development of pre-eclampsia, a disorder that causes dangerous increases in blood pressure in pregnant women.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

There is a sense of lurking danger.

The Guardian

And so it was that night, when, seized by a gut feeling of lurking danger, he slid a trench coat over his slight frame — and tucked an assault rifle inside it.

The New York Times

Scenes idyllic in subject matter gain an indescribable sense of lurking danger, as in "The Girls on the Bridge".

Huffington Post

It is a constant reminder of the lurking danger of landmines and the most efficient tool against complacency.

Unicef

He suggested, again, that this had to do with rules: There is always the lurking danger of living in a laboratory.

The New Yorker

The lurking danger of the creek's emanations is a constant undercurrent.

The New York Times

It is paranoid to suggest that because the lurking danger is not specified the ad has a racist agenda.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a lurking danger" to create suspense or foreshadow potential negative outcomes in your writing. It's effective when describing situations where the threat isn't immediately obvious but is subtly present.

Common error

Avoid using "a lurking danger" too frequently, as it can become cliché. Try to find more specific and evocative language to describe the particular threat you're referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lurking danger" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or the subject complement. Ludwig AI shows its use in various sentences, where it describes a potential threat that is not immediately visible or obvious.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a lurking danger" effectively describes a hidden or not immediately obvious threat. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its prevalence in various contexts, mainly news and media. Its purpose is to create awareness of unseen risks. When using this phrase, consider alternatives like "a hidden threat" or "an underlying risk" to avoid overusing the original, as it can become a cliché. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can use "a lurking danger" to enhance your writing and effectively communicate potential risks to your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hidden threat

Emphasizes the concealed nature of the danger.

an unseen peril

Highlights the aspect of the danger being unnoticed or not immediately visible.

an impending threat

Focuses on the nearness and inevitability of the danger.

a concealed risk

Stresses the fact that the risk is not openly displayed.

an underlying risk

Highlights that the danger is fundamental and not immediately apparent.

a silent menace

Implies a danger that is quietly developing or present.

a present danger

Focuses on the actuality and immediacy of the threat.

a brewing storm

Suggests a danger that is gradually intensifying.

a gathering threat

Indicates a danger that is accumulating or increasing in intensity.

a simmering threat

Suggests the danger is currently suppressed but liable to erupt.

FAQs

How can I use "a lurking danger" in a sentence?

You can use "a lurking danger" to describe a threat that is not immediately obvious or visible. For example, "Despite the apparent calm, there was "a lurking danger" of financial instability".

What's the difference between "a lurking danger" and "an imminent threat"?

"A lurking danger" implies a hidden or not immediately obvious threat, while "an imminent threat" suggests a danger that is about to happen or is very near.

What can I say instead of "a lurking danger"?

You can use alternatives like "a hidden threat", "an unseen peril", or "an underlying risk" depending on the context.

Is "a lurking danger" formal or informal?

"A lurking danger" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's more common in descriptive or narrative writing.