a margin of safety

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a margin of safety" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used when referring to a situation where there is a cushion between the expected outcome and the worst-case scenario, allowing extra time or resources to react if necessary. For example, "John always tries to give himself a margin of safety when making investments, so he can weather any unforeseen market fluctuations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Maybe a less affluent America can now longer afford a margin of safety.

University of California, Berkeley

And it looks as if she has a margin of safety.

The New York Times

An aspect of ALARP important to biotechnological systems is that a margin of safety should be sought.

Environmental Biotechnology A Biosystems Approach

The latter commands a margin of safety, a so-called "haircut," on the market value of the securities before they are considered good collateral.

Columbia University

Since older wines may still have lead caps, I recommend removing enough of the foil to provide a margin of safety.

Cornell University

Under California law, a contract may provide a "margin of safety" that provides the party with superior bargaining strength protection for which it has a legitimate commercial need.

Harvard University

"Something's got to give sometime, because the system is really reaching its capacity in terms of what you'd like to have for a margin of safety".

The New York Times

"We know it's important to the community that the plant operate within a margin of safety that we are comfortable with".

The New York Times

"When we buy companies for well below the market and their own historic valuation parameters, we have a margin of safety built into the price," Mr. Katz said.

The New York Times

But the Federal Reserve provided a margin of safety, and said it stood ready to do so for many months to come.

The New York Times

The report recommends that A&Es should build in a "margin of safety" into their staffing plans, even if this meant they were overstaffed during quiet periods.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In project management, incorporate "a margin of safety" by allocating extra time and resources to account for unforeseen delays or complications.

Common error

Avoid using "a margin of safety" solely in contexts of physical safety. While applicable, it is also commonly used in finance, project management, and other abstract concepts where risk mitigation is key.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a margin of safety" functions primarily as a noun phrase, denoting a buffer or allowance that provides security against potential errors, risks, or uncertainties. Ludwig's examples illustrate this across diverse contexts, including finance, engineering, and public health.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a margin of safety" is a versatile phrase signifying a buffer against risks or errors across diverse fields. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It's frequently encountered in news, science, and academic contexts, emphasizing risk mitigation and preparedness. When writing, consider it when discussing investment strategies or project management, but be mindful of its broad applicability beyond physical safety alone. For alternative expressions, consider "a safety buffer" or "a contingency plan" depending on the nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a safety buffer

Emphasizes the buffering quality of the safety measure.

a security perimeter

Highlights the protective boundary aspect of ensuring security.

an extra layer of security

Focuses on adding an additional safeguard for increased protection.

a protective barrier

Stresses the function of preventing harm or damage.

a contingency plan

Highlights the preparation for unexpected events and risks.

a safety net

Implies a last-resort measure to prevent severe consequences.

a cushion against risk

Emphasizes reducing the impact of potential adverse outcomes.

room for error

Focuses on allowance for mistakes or inaccuracies.

a failsafe mechanism

Implies an automatic safety measure in case of failure.

a precautionary measure

Emphasizes actions taken in advance to prevent potential harm.

FAQs

How can I use "a margin of safety" in a sentence?

You can use "a margin of safety" to describe a buffer or allowance for error in various contexts. For example, "The engineer designed the bridge with "a margin of safety" to withstand unexpected loads".

What are some alternatives to "a margin of safety"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a safety buffer", "a contingency plan", or "room for error".

In investing, what does "a margin of safety" mean?

In investing, "a margin of safety" refers to buying assets for less than their intrinsic value. This provides a buffer against errors in valuation or adverse market conditions, reducing the risk of loss.

What is the difference between "a margin of safety" and "risk management"?

"A margin of safety" is a specific risk mitigation strategy, particularly in value investing, where assets are purchased below their intrinsic value. "Risk management" is a broader term encompassing all strategies and processes to identify, assess, and control risks.