a safe house

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a safe house" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a place that provides shelter and protection, often in contexts related to safety from danger or harm. Example: "The activists were taken to a safe house to ensure their protection from potential threats."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Today, Bocek lives in a safe house.

The New Yorker

He must find a safe house!

The New Yorker

Good news has a safe house.

The Washington Post

Eichmann was taken to a safe house.

The Guardian

Within days she was in a safe house in London.

The Guardian

You end up in a safe house drinking tea.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

He had been seized from a safe-house in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, and immediately extradited.

The Economist

The grandstands here can appear a safe-house for the world's least loved colours.

BBC

The maternal home, conversely, is a 'safe house' of sorts – a place of safety and security.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

For 57 days, Patty Hearst lived in a cupboard at a safe house.

The Guardian

They took Hammami to a safe house for foreign recruits, en route to military training.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a safe house" to clearly indicate a location used for protection, often in situations involving danger or secrecy.

Common error

Avoid using "a safe house" interchangeably with terms like "shelter" or "refuge" in contexts where the clandestine or protective aspect is not relevant. A safe house specifically implies a location used to conceal and protect individuals from harm or detection, often related to criminal or espionage activities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a safe house" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, further validating its function as a standard element within the English language.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

14%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a safe house" is a common and grammatically sound term used to describe a secure location providing protection, often in secret or dangerous circumstances. As supported by Ludwig, it's frequently used in news and media, formal documents, and general contexts. While alternatives exist, such as "secure haven" or "protected shelter", "a safe house" specifically conveys the idea of a clandestine refuge. Be mindful of using it appropriately, especially where the aspect of secrecy and specific threats is paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a secure haven

Replaces "house" with "haven", emphasizing safety and refuge.

a protected shelter

Uses "shelter" to highlight the protective aspect of the location.

a refuge

A more concise term for a place of safety and protection.

a sanctuary

Implies a place of holiness and inviolability, adding a layer of reverence.

a secret hideout

Emphasizes the clandestine nature of the location.

a clandestine residence

More formal and emphasizes the hidden nature and dwelling aspect.

a secure location

A more general term that emphasizes security over the specific type of dwelling.

a fortified dwelling

Suggests a residence that has been strengthened against attack.

an emergency shelter

Highlights the use of the house in a crisis, often temporary.

a guarded residence

Suggests that the house is protected by guards and security measures.

FAQs

How is "a safe house" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "a safe house" is used to describe a location providing refuge, often in secret. For example, "The informant was moved to "a safe house" after providing key information."

What are some alternatives to saying "a safe house"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a secure haven", "a protected shelter", or simply "a refuge".

Is there a difference between "a safe house" and "a shelter"?

"A safe house" implies secrecy and protection from specific threats, whereas "a shelter" is a more general term for a place of protection from the elements or danger. "A safe house" is more likely to be used in espionage or criminal contexts.

When is it appropriate to use the term "a safe house"?

Use "a safe house" when describing a location that provides covert protection for individuals who are at risk. This is particularly relevant in narratives involving espionage, criminal activity, or witness protection programs.