safe and sound

USAGE SUMMARY

'safe and sound' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who has had a lucky escape from a dangerous situation. For example: "John arrived home safe and sound after his plane was nearly involved in a mid-air collision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He's safe and sound.

The Guardian

"The president is safe and sound.

The New York Times

We're all here safe and sound.

Independent

"He will return home safe and sound".

Independent

"My son is safe and sound".

The New York Times - Sports

Amundsen delivered Bjaaland home safe and sound.

The Guardian - Books

To Keep It Safe and Sound.

Nature

No: there he is, safe and sound.

The Guardian - Film

"Baitullah Mehsud is alive, safe and sound".

The New York Times

Absolutely safe and sound, without a scratch".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

https://www.genomeweb.com/scan/keep-it-safe-and-sound (2016).

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about someone's return from a dangerous journey or situation, use "safe and sound" to reassure your audience of their well-being. For example, "After the storm, all the villagers were found safe and sound."

Common error

Avoid using "safe and sound" when describing situations that inherently lack risk or danger. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and sound unnatural. It's best reserved for scenarios where there was a genuine possibility of harm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "safe and sound" functions as a compound adjective, typically modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the state of being unharmed and well, especially after a potentially dangerous or difficult situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "safe and sound" is a common and grammatically correct compound adjective used to describe someone or something that has emerged from a potentially dangerous situation unharmed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for a wide range of contexts, particularly in news, general narratives, and formal communications. While alternatives such as "unharmed" or "unscathed" exist, "safe and sound" provides a reassuring tone. Remember to reserve its usage for scenarios where there was a genuine possibility of harm to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

safe and well

Highlights the general state of well-being.

unharmed

Focuses solely on the absence of physical injury.

unscathed

Emphasizes escaping without any injury or damage.

in one piece

Like unharmed, highlights escaping a situation without physical injury or damage.

in good condition

Highlights the positive state of someone or something after an event.

without a scratch

Emphasizes the absence of even minor injuries.

out of danger

Stresses the removal from a threatening situation.

all right

A more general term indicating well-being and safety.

protected and secure

Stresses the act of protecting someone or something.

rescued

Focuses on the act of being saved from a dangerous situation.

FAQs

How can I use "safe and sound" in a sentence?

Use "safe and sound" to describe someone or something that has emerged from a potentially dangerous situation unharmed. For example, "The missing hikers returned home "safe and sound" after three days in the wilderness."

What can I say instead of "safe and sound"?

You can use alternatives like "unharmed", "unscathed", or "in good condition" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "perfectly safe and sound"?

While not grammatically incorrect, adding "perfectly" to "safe and sound" can be redundant as "safe and sound" already implies a state of complete well-being. It's often better to use just ""safe and sound"" for a more concise expression.

What's the difference between "safe and sound" and "secure"?

"Safe and sound" typically refers to physical well-being after a specific event or situation, whereas "secure" generally refers to a state of protection from potential threats. For example, you might say "The money is secure in the bank" but "The travelers arrived "safe and sound" after their journey".