a safety play

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a safety play" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to sports, finance, or decision-making where a cautious or protective strategy is employed. Example: "In this volatile market, investing in bonds is considered a safety play for many investors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Finance

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"It's just a safety play".

The New York Times

In that suit he had the chance of a safety play to make exactly three tricks: cashing the ace and leading low to the jack.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"That's why this week I've been making all my calls louder in practice than other weeks," said Grant, a safety playing in his 11th season.

The New York Times - Sports

That's because people have been double-covering him and playing Cover 2 on him" -- a defense with a safety playing deep -- "and that makes it real tough on the quarterback".

The New York Times - Sports

Declarer will win on the board and take a safety-play in trumps, running the heart nine.

The New York Times

When the hearts broke 3-3, decouldr could afford the luxury of a safety-play in trumps by first cashing his ace.

The New York Times

South, after drawing one more round of trumps with dummy's jack, cashed the spade ace, a safety-play to ensure at most one loser in the suit when that was possible.

The New York Times

Milgrim won the opening diamond lead with dummy's ace and spotted a rare safety play, little-known even in expert circles.

The New York Times - Arts

Telecommunications stocks, a popular safety play, did rise Thursday, but barely.

Los Angeles Times

With the score at 15-15 an uncharacteristically epic frame ensued in a match where safety play had previously been kept to a bare minimum.

The Guardian - Sport

The Yale senior Larry Abare, a ferocious safety, played with a cast that covered almost his entire right arm, including his hand.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a safety play" in financial contexts, clearly define what assets or strategies are considered safe within the current economic climate. This provides clarity and context for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "a safety play" without specifying the domain (e.g., finance, sports, bridge). Be specific to avoid ambiguity and ensure the reader understands the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a safety play" functions as a noun phrase, typically describing a strategy or action taken to minimize risk or ensure a secure outcome in various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Sports

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a safety play" is a noun phrase denoting a strategy to minimize risk. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct and usable. While its frequency is uncommon, the phrase finds its usage across multiple domains like sports, finance, and general decision-making. The phrase is commonly used in News & Media, but the writer must be aware of potential overgeneralization and select alternative expressions like "conservative approach" or "defensive maneuver" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

playing it safe

An idiomatic expression emphasizing the avoidance of risks.

a conservative approach

Emphasizes a cautious and risk-averse method, altering the specific context from games or finance to a more general strategy.

a secure investment

Specifically refers to financial contexts where the goal is to minimize risk and preserve capital.

a defensive maneuver

Suggests a strategic action taken to protect against potential threats or losses.

a cautious tactic

Highlights the careful and deliberate nature of the chosen strategy.

a protective measure

Focuses on actions taken to guard against harm or negative outcomes.

a risk-averse strategy

Directly states the intention to avoid potential dangers or losses.

a fallback option

Indicates a plan B that can be relied upon if the primary strategy fails.

a failsafe

Highlights the guaranteed protection or safety provided by the strategy.

hedging your bets

Describes the action of reducing risk by making multiple investments or strategies.

FAQs

How can "a safety play" be used in finance?

In finance, "a safety play" refers to investing in assets perceived as low-risk during times of market uncertainty. Examples include government bonds or money market funds. This strategy aims to preserve capital rather than generate high returns.

What does "a safety play" mean in sports?

In sports like football or snooker, "a safety play" /s/playing+it+safe usually means choosing a less risky option to avoid giving the opponent an advantage, even if it means sacrificing a potential immediate gain.

What are some alternatives to "a safety play"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "conservative approach", "defensive maneuver", or "risk-averse strategy" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "a safety play" appropriate for formal writing?

While "a safety play" is generally acceptable, in formal writing, it may be more appropriate to use more precise and professional terms like "conservative investment strategy" or "risk mitigation technique" depending on the subject.