perilous principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perilous principle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a fundamental idea or belief that carries significant risk or danger. Example: "Adhering to the perilous principle of absolute freedom can lead to chaos in society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

From its inception, self-determination has been a perilous principle, explosive in the wrong hands--and mouths.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Whether such laws are non-reducible in principle or merely in practice is a perilous prediction to make.

BMC Systems Biology

Frankly, to even entertain the prospect that a third category of justice (beyond guilt and innocence) can be conjured out of thin air without fatally undermining the principles on which the United States was founded is to enter perilous territory indeed.

Huffington Post

If we are truly going to sustain our democracy, particularly in these perilous times, then we need a better understanding of the Constitution and its principles.

Huffington Post

Too perilous.

The New York Times

How perilous?

The New York Times - Sports

Those dissenters saw rapid expansion as contrary to the principles of a true republic and predicted that the cost of empire would be high and its consequences perilous.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These are perilous times.

The New York Times

This will be perilous.

The Economist

The perilous speed remains.

Independent

That can be perilous.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing ethical frameworks or political ideologies, use "perilous principle" to underscore the potential for negative outcomes or unintended consequences. For example, "The perilous principle of unchecked authority can lead to tyranny."

Common error

Avoid using "perilous principle" when the risk is minimal or speculative. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing sound overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perilous principle" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, where the adjective "perilous" modifies the noun "principle". It highlights the risky or dangerous nature of a particular guiding belief or fundamental idea. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "perilous principle" describes a guiding belief or idea that carries significant risk. While grammatically correct and found in reliable sources such as news media and encyclopedias, it is not a common expression. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and alternative phrases like "risky tenet" or "dangerous doctrine" can be used for variety. When using "perilous principle", ensure that the level of danger is real and not overstated for dramatic effect. Be sure you want to express concern or caution about a foundational belief or guideline because it could lead to negative consequences or unintended harm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

risky tenet

Replaces "perilous" with "risky" and "principle" with "tenet", keeping the core meaning intact.

dangerous doctrine

Substitutes "perilous" with "dangerous" and "principle" with "doctrine", highlighting the potential harm.

risky proposition

Combines “risky” and “proposition” to describe a principle that's potentially unsafe or unwise.

hazardous axiom

Uses "hazardous" instead of "perilous" and "axiom" instead of "principle", emphasizing the inherent danger of an accepted truth.

precarious concept

Replaces "perilous" with "precarious" and "principle" with "concept", focusing on instability and uncertainty.

treacherous foundation

Employs "treacherous" to replace "perilous" and "foundation" for "principle", indicating a deceptive or unreliable basis.

unstable ideology

Substitutes "perilous" with "unstable" and "principle" with "ideology", highlighting a lack of firm grounding.

volatile belief

Uses "volatile" instead of "perilous" and "belief" instead of "principle", stressing the potential for sudden change or disruption.

challenging proposition

Replaces "perilous" with "challenging" and "principle" with "proposition", softening the negative connotation while maintaining the idea of difficulty.

contentious guideline

Substitutes "perilous" with "contentious" and "principle" with "guideline", emphasizing disagreement and debate.

FAQs

How can I use "perilous principle" in a sentence?

You might say, "The politician's adherence to the "perilous principle" of isolationism threatens international cooperation" or "The company's reliance on the "perilous principle" of cost-cutting undermined its commitment to quality."

What are some alternatives to "perilous principle"?

Consider using phrases like "risky tenet", "dangerous doctrine", or "hazardous axiom" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "perilous principle" the same as "dangerous idea"?

While similar, "perilous principle" suggests a more fundamental and potentially widespread risk than "dangerous idea". A principle guides action and belief, while an idea might be more isolated.

What makes a principle "perilous"?

A principle becomes "perilous" when its application or acceptance poses a significant risk of harm, instability, or negative consequences. This could stem from ethical flaws, practical limitations, or unintended outcomes.