put at stake

USAGE SUMMARY

"put at stake" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It is used as a phrasal verb to indicate that something is being risked in a situation, e.g. "My reputation was put at stake when I took on the high-profile project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"Lives may not have been put at stake".

The New York Times

"Vilma Bautista has been made a scapegoat in this political struggle, criminally charged with her future put at stake," she said.

The New York Times

Liu said MSF's ability to work in some of the world's most difficult conflict zones had been put at stake by the attack.

The Guardian

The pills take around two weeks to arrive, which is a highly stressful situation to be in, but I feel my mental health would be put at stake if I'd continued with the pregnancy.

The Guardian

Google has been "unfairly directing consumers to Google's own products and away from other providers of specialized search," and that had put at stake "the future of innovation online" and "the ability of small firms throughout Europe to compete on a level playing field," Mr. Vinje said.

The New York Times - Tech

The prosecutor's last question to her on the witness stand made clear what she had put at stake by speaking out: "Now, do you realize you might have to face an immigration judge?" "The kidnapping victims are treated the same as the extortioners," Stephanie Taylor, an immigration attorney based in Texas, told me.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

It puts at stake the moral credibility of the war against terrorism".

The New York Times

"By issuing debt at such an interest rate, Spain is putting at stake a sovereign bailout in the coming months," said Fernando Ballabriga, an economics professor at the Esade business school in Barcelona.

The New York Times

YOU might think that a policy issue which puts at stake hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of global output would arouse at least the casual interest of the world's economics and finance ministries.

The Economist

Now everyone is watching British people putting at stake the very survival of the United Kingdom and the stability of the economy, in a move that would send toxic ripple effects across Europe.

The Guardian - Opinion

We also tested our method on UTKinect-Human Detection dataset which is described exploited in [6] and puts at stake the following 10 gestures: carry, clap hands, pick up, pull, push, sit down, stand up, throw, walk, and wave hands.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "put at stake", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being risked and the potential consequences. This makes the statement more impactful and understandable.

Common error

Avoid using "put at stake" when the risk is minimal or negligible. Reserve it for situations where the potential loss or harm is significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put at stake" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating that something is being risked or endangered. Ludwig provides many examples in news and scientific sources, where different kinds of entities are described as being under risk because of a specific fact.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put at stake" is a common phrasal verb used to express that something is being risked. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in news, science, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "jeopardize" or "risk" exist, "put at stake" emphasizes the potential consequences. When employing this phrase, consider the level of risk involved and ensure clarity about what is being endangered. Ludwig can provide more examples of the phrasal verb in action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jeopardize

A single word that directly replaces the phrasal verb, focusing on the act of putting something at risk.

endanger

Similar to jeopardize, this emphasizes the potential for harm or danger.

risk

A more general term for exposing something to the possibility of loss or harm.

imperil

A more formal and less common synonym for endanger, suggesting a serious risk.

compromise

Focuses on weakening or damaging something, rather than outright losing it.

put in danger

A more literal alternative, emphasizing the state of being in danger.

expose to risk

Highlights the act of exposing something to a potentially harmful situation.

leave vulnerable

Shifts the focus to the resulting vulnerability after something is put at risk.

gamble with

Implies a willingness to take a chance, often with uncertain outcomes.

hazard

Another single-word replacement that focuses on the presence of a hazard or danger.

FAQs

How can I use "put at stake" in a sentence?

You can use "put at stake" to indicate that something valuable or important is being risked in a particular situation. For example, "The company's reputation was put at stake by the scandal."

What are some alternatives to "put at stake"?

Alternatives include "jeopardize", "risk", or "endanger", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "put at risk" and "put at stake"?

While similar, "put at risk" generally implies a broader possibility of harm, whereas "put at stake" often suggests something significant or valuable is being risked, with potentially high consequences.

Which is more appropriate: "put at stake" or "jeopardize"?

Both are correct, but "jeopardize" is a single word, offering a more concise option. "Put at stake" may add emphasis to the potential consequences. Using the single word alternative "jeopardize" can be more elegant.