avoid danger

USAGE SUMMARY

"avoid danger" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to advise someone to be careful and to stay away from potential danger. For example, "Be sure to keep your eyes open and avoid danger when walking through a dark alley."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Therefore, there are times when I will not avoid danger".

The New York Times

On other occasions, it may be important to rapidly accelerate to avoid danger or a collision.

The New York Times

Others raced through hallways to avoid danger as two bloodied students waited for help.

The New York Times

Network Rail has previously imposed speed limits to avoid danger to commuters.

The Guardian

Unfortunately — at least in some cases — we also want to avoid danger.

The Washington Post

Sometimes it is the hazard of driving too quickly on badly rutted roads to avoid danger.

The New York Times

In the past, copying the neighbours would have been helpful in order to avoid danger or to find food.

The Economist

They are our guides to avoid danger and allow us to go about our day to day lives.

Independent

Teams in the student center direct the players outside, helping them navigate their way through the streets and avoid danger.

The New York Times - Style

Unlike grouse or pheasant, woodcock won't flush, or fly off to avoid danger, until the very last moment.

The New York Times - Sports

As in earlier floods, Myanmar authorities have placed much of the responsibility to avoid danger on the victims.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical writing, specify the type of danger (e.g., 'avoid danger from high-voltage cables') to provide clear, actionable instructions.

Common error

Do not use "avoid danger" when you mean the active prevention of a catastrophe that has already been set in motion; in those cases, use "avert danger". 'Avoid' suggests staying away, while 'avert' suggests stopping it from happening.

Linguistic Context

"avoid danger" acts as a standard transitive verb phrase where 'avoid' is the action and 'danger' is the direct object. Ludwig examples show it often appearing in infinitive clauses ('to avoid danger') to express purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Professional

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "avoid danger" is an exceptionally common and versatile English expression used to denote the act of staying clear of threats. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically flawless and enjoys broad acceptance across diverse fields, from News & Media to Scientific Research. Its primary usage is found in purpose-driven sentences where an entity—be it human, animal, or machine—takes action to preserve safety. While it is highly interchangeable with phrases like "avoid harm", writers should distinguish it from "avert danger", which implies active prevention rather than mere avoidance. Overall, it is a reliable choice for any context requiring a clear statement about safety-seeking behavior.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoid harm

Focuses on the physical or psychological consequence rather than the threat itself

stay safe

A more colloquial and proactive expression often used in everyday conversation

stay out of harm's way

An idiomatic expression emphasizing a safe spatial position

steer clear of danger

Uses a nautical metaphor to suggest active navigation away from threats

escape danger

Implies the subject is already near the threat and must move away quickly

avert peril

A formal and literary choice using a higher register for 'danger'

evade hazards

More technical and often used in safety manuals or scientific reporting

circumvent danger

Suggests finding a path around the danger rather than just moving away

mitigate risk

Common in business and professional contexts, focusing on reduction of likelihood

shun risk

Implies a personal or moral choice to reject dangerous activities

FAQs

How do I use "avoid danger" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a goal or a rule, such as: 'The software was updated to help autonomous vehicles "avoid danger" in low-visibility conditions'.

What is the difference between "avoid danger" and "avert danger"?

To "avoid danger" means to stay away from a threat, while to "avert danger" means to prevent a specific threatening event from occurring.

Is it better to say "avoid danger" or "stay safe"?

It depends on the context. "avoid danger" is more descriptive and formal, whereas "stay safe" is more common in casual interactions and general well-wishing.

What can I say instead of "avoid danger" in a professional report?

In professional contexts, you might use more precise terms like "mitigate risks" or "minimize exposure to hazards".