in direct danger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in direct danger" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is facing an immediate and serious threat. Example: "The hikers were in direct danger when the storm suddenly hit the mountain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"I didn't know he was in direct danger," Mr. Galkin said.

The New York Times

This applies especially to the wounded officers and their colleagues, who selflessly put themselves in direct danger to protect us.

The Guardian

Over two-thirds of mankind are today in direct danger, including India, south-east Asia, central Asia, west and east Africa.

The Guardian - Opinion

Glimmers of changeIsrael's prime minister, Ariel Sharon, welcoming the Mitchell report's call for a ceasefire, said that Israeli soldiers would fire only when in direct danger.

The Economist

Poland already has one of Europe's most restrictive abortion laws, and the new proposals would have limited access the procedure to cases where the mother's life was in direct danger – a step too far even for many women who helped vote PiS into power a year ago.

The Guardian

Adrian Parkinson, a spokesman for the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, said: "There is a clear problem with violence and criminality in betting shops, whether that is attacks on gaming machines, violence and antisocial behaviour towards staff and robberies – very often armed robberies in which staff are in direct danger.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But if an Israeli officer believes that the lives of his men or the lives of Israeli civilians are in any direct danger, he has full authorization to order lethal force, military officials stress.

The New York Times

A list MP under the country's mixed-member proportional-representation system, Mr Peters overturned a decisive victory that National's candidate had won barely six months ago in a general election.His success does not put the current government, led by the prime minister John Key, in any direct danger.

The Economist

Yet, quite to the contrary, massive research shows that, with about $400 of direct education, most people in the most direct danger of diabetes -- people with what is commonly known as "pre-diabetes, or very high blood sugar -- will take proper measures to avoid becoming diabetic.

Huffington Post

The characteristic late-onset and tonic firing patterns of BLA anxiety-related neurons correlated well with the slow-onset anxiety-like behaviors in the absence of direct danger.

Plosone

Second, different from fear, anxiety is a characteristically slower-onset, longer-lasting emotional process, and evoked under potential threats even in the absence of direct danger [34].

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in direct danger" to emphasize an immediate and considerable threat. Avoid using it for minor inconveniences or remote possibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "in direct danger" when the situation involves a potential or distant threat. The phrase implies immediacy and high risk, so reserve it for scenarios where harm is imminent. For example, instead of saying "The company is in direct danger of losing market share" (which is not urgent), use "The company is at risk of losing market share."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in direct danger" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating the state or condition of being immediately threatened. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in direct danger" describes a situation of immediate and significant threat. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it is grammatically correct and finds it most commonly used in news and media contexts, emphasizing urgent and perilous situations. While its usage is relatively uncommon, it's crucial to reserve it for scenarios where immediate harm is a real possibility, avoiding overuse in less critical contexts. Consider alternatives such as "in immediate peril" or "facing imminent threat" to fine-tune the message based on the specific context. The phrase maintains a neutral register making it suitable for diverse communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in immediate peril

Emphasizes the suddenness and severity of the danger.

facing imminent threat

Highlights the approaching nature of the threat.

under immediate threat

Focuses on the state of being threatened right now.

in a perilous situation

Shifts focus to the dangerous circumstances.

at immediate risk

Highlights the potential for harm.

under severe threat

Emphasizes the intensity of the threat.

exposed to immediate hazard

Focuses on the vulnerability and the presence of a hazard.

confronting an immediate risk

Highlights the act of facing the risk.

in harm's way

Idiomatic expression indicating exposure to danger.

under the gun

Colloquial term indicating intense pressure and potential danger.

FAQs

What does "in direct danger" mean?

The phrase "in direct danger" means that someone or something is facing an immediate and serious threat of harm or damage. It implies that the danger is not potential or distant, but present and pressing.

How can I use "in direct danger" in a sentence?

You can use "in direct danger" to describe a situation where someone's life or well-being is immediately threatened. For example, "The firefighters were "in direct danger" as they entered the burning building."

What are some alternatives to saying "in direct danger"?

Some alternatives to "in direct danger" include "in immediate peril", "facing imminent threat", or "at immediate risk". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "in direct danger" and "in danger"?

Yes, "in danger" is a more general term, while "in direct danger" emphasizes the immediacy and severity of the threat. If someone is "in danger", there is a risk of harm, but if they are "in direct danger", the harm is likely to occur very soon without intervention.