high-stakes situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "high-stakes situation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a scenario where the outcome has significant consequences or risks involved. Example: "Negotiating a peace treaty is often a high-stakes situation that requires careful consideration and strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The result is that the knowledge denial (Mary and John's claim) in the high-stakes situation may be true, without affecting the truth of the low stakes claim to know (by Smith himself).

SEP

Faced with a high-stakes situation, almost everyone has some physical symptoms of stress: sweaty palms, a racing heartbeat.

The New York Times

Even the characters, despite their high-stakes situation, seem kind of bored with Jan Buttram's bloated script and Kate Bushmann's forced direction.

The New York Times

Even the characters, despite their high-stakes situation, seem kind of bored with Jan Buttram's bloated script and Kate Bushmann's forced direction (1 30).

The New York Times

Even with training, there is no guarantee teachers and staff will prevent fatalities in a high-stakes situation, said Allison Anderman, a staff attorney with Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, a nonprofit opposed to arming teachers.

The Guardian

Snowden has now provided a highly visible example of how, in a very high-stakes situation, encryption can, at a minimum, create time and space for independent journalistic decision-making about what to publish and why.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

She is one of many people who are thought to profit unduly from immigrants' vulnerable combination of low legal literacy and high-stakes situations.

The New York Times

Gneezy et al. (2003) provide experimental evidence that men exert more effort than women in high-stakes situations.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Rosekind's work as a scientist focused on the toll exhaustion takes on human performance in high-stakes situations, including flying airplanes, driving big rigs, and performing surgery.

Science Magazine

Corporations and investors need to be open to the idea that organizations make systematic mistakes even in repeated high-stakes situations.

Forbes

According a 2015 study, sleep loss affects critical aspects of decision-making in high-stakes situations.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "high-stakes situation", be specific about what makes the stakes high. Clearly outline the potential consequences and the risks involved.

Common error

Avoid using "high-stakes situation" repeatedly in a short passage. Vary your language by using synonyms like "critical juncture" or "pivotal moment" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "high-stakes situation" functions as a noun phrase, where "high-stakes" acts as a compound adjective modifying the noun "situation". It serves to describe a scenario characterized by significant potential consequences, as supported by examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "high-stakes situation" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe scenarios with significant potential consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is versatile enough for use in news, scientific, and business contexts. While widely accepted, it's advisable to avoid overuse by incorporating synonyms like "critical juncture" or "pivotal moment". Remember to be specific about the stakes involved to maximize clarity. Its frequent usage across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical juncture

Focuses on the decisiveness and potential turning point of the situation.

pivotal moment

Indicates a turning point with lasting consequences.

precarious circumstance

Emphasizes the instability and potential danger inherent in the situation.

decisive event

Highlights the importance and impact of the event.

risky endeavor

Highlights the element of risk and potential for failure.

crucial instance

Focuses on the importance and criticality of the particular occurrence.

moment of truth

Implies a crucial point where the outcome will be revealed.

tense predicament

Stresses the emotional strain and difficulty of the situation.

urgent crisis

Emphasizes the time-sensitive and critical nature of the situation.

challenging dilemma

Highlights the difficulty and complexity of the problem at hand.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "high-stakes situation" in a sentence?

Use "high-stakes situation" to describe scenarios where the outcome significantly impacts individuals, organizations, or even entire systems. For example, "Negotiating a peace treaty is a "high-stakes situation" requiring diplomacy and careful planning."

What are some alternatives to "high-stakes situation"?

You can use alternatives like "critical juncture", "pivotal moment", or "risky endeavor" depending on the specific context.

What makes a situation qualify as "high-stakes"?

A situation is considered "high-stakes" when the potential outcomes carry significant consequences, such as substantial financial gains or losses, critical strategic advantages, or even life-altering impacts. The phrase emphasizes the importance of careful decision-making.

Is it appropriate to use "high-stakes situation" in formal writing?

Yes, "high-stakes situation" is appropriate for formal writing. It is frequently used in news reports, academic papers, and business documents to accurately describe critical or risky scenarios.