in harm's way

USAGE SUMMARY

“in harm's way” is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase used to describe a situation in which someone is likely to be harmed in some way. For example: The firefighters placed themselves in harm's way to rescue those trapped in the burning building.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He's careful about never putting Boo in harm's way.

The New Yorker

"That's because the people didn't stay in harm's way.

Huffington Post

Why put them in harm's way?

Independent

We protect those in harm's way.

The New York Times

"We got troops in harm's way.

The Economist

Don't put yourself in harm's way.

The New York Times

"One billion Africans are in harm's way.

The Guardian

"He always put himself in harm's way.

The New York Times - Sports

There are still people in harm's way.

The New York Times

LONDON — The Olympic caldron is no longer in harm's way.

The New York Times - Sports

"They are now in harm's way," the governor said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in harm's way", ensure the context clearly establishes the source and nature of the potential harm. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "in harm's way" for minor inconveniences or discomfort. Reserve it for situations involving genuine risk of significant physical or emotional harm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in harm's way" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying verbs by indicating a state or location of potential danger or risk. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in harm's way" is a prepositional phrase indicating exposure to danger. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase effectively communicates risk and vulnerability. To ensure clarity, specify the source and nature of the harm. While versatile, reserve its use for situations involving significant danger. Alternatives include "in a dangerous situation" or "at risk of being harmed". Overall, "in harm's way" is a powerful tool for conveying potential danger in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a dangerous situation

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more literal description of being in a risky environment.

at risk of being harmed

Focuses on the potential for harm, replacing the spatial metaphor with a direct statement of vulnerability.

exposed to danger

Highlights the state of being unprotected and susceptible to threats.

vulnerable to injury

Specifically emphasizes the susceptibility to physical harm or damage.

in a precarious position

Shifts the focus to the instability and uncertainty of the situation, implying potential for negative consequences.

facing potential threats

Underscores the presence of possible dangers that could cause harm.

under threat

Briefly indicates that the person or thing at issue, is not safe.

in jeopardy

Replaces the original idiom with another common expression indicating risk or danger.

in a vulnerable state

Highlights a condition in which the person, or object, is not strong or secure.

susceptible to danger

Emphasizes a natural or inherent predisposition to being harmed or negatively affected.

FAQs

How can I use "in harm's way" in a sentence?

Use "in harm's way" to describe someone or something that is in a dangerous situation or at risk of being harmed. For example, "The firefighters bravely placed themselves in harm's way to rescue the trapped residents."

What are some alternatives to saying "in harm's way"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in a dangerous situation", "at risk of being harmed", or "exposed to danger", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say 'out of harm's way'?

Yes, "out of harm's way" is a correct and commonly used phrase. It means to be in a safe place, away from danger or potential harm.

What is the difference between "in harm's way" and "out of harm's way"?

"In harm's way" means that someone or something is in a dangerous situation, while "out of harm's way" means they are safe and protected from danger. They are antonyms.