secure something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secure something" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to obtaining or ensuring the safety of an item, agreement, or position. Example: "We need to secure funding for the project." Alternative expressions include "obtain something" and "ensure something."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"There's a continuum between security and usability and it's true that the more you secure something there is a cost in how usable it is," he said.

BBC

That would enable them to secure something in return.

The New York Times

It's essential to secure "something like a year" between the uranium's exit and the fuel's arrival.

The New York Times

Radwan's mother, Christabel, said: "We're happy, we thank God that we are able to secure something for his future.

The Guardian - Sport

How do you fully secure something as big and sprawling as an international airport against a terrorist bombing like the one on Monday at Domodedovo Airport in Moscow?

The New York Times

In a diner in Manchester, N.H., a Clinton backer eager for an 11th hour presidential signature resorted to desperate means to secure something for him to sign.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Mata's £37.1million arrival from Chelsea is aimed at securing something rather more long term.

Independent

If they fail, he warns, Sri Lanka's relief at having secured something like peace may be short-lived.

The Economist

If they fail at this, says Mr Saravanamuttu, Sri Lanka's relief at having secured something like peace may be short-lived.

The Economist

"It would have been better if, when we were bailing the banks out, we'd secured something from the banks in return," Mr. Osborne said.

The New York Times

Osama Diab of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, an NGO, worries that the settlements could undermine efforts in Switzerland and Britain to link frozen assets to crimes so that courts can sanction their return.However, economic necessity means that securing something now may look better than waiting years in the hope of recovering more.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical contexts, use this phrase to describe the act of hardening a system or physical object against external threats.

Common error

Writers sometimes use "secure something" solely to mean protection, but in business contexts, it almost always implies the active process of acquisition. If you only mean to keep something safe without having just acquired it, consider using "protect something" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

As a transitive verb phrase, "secure something" typically consists of the verb "secure" followed by an indefinite pronoun or a specific noun phrase acting as the direct object. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as a primary action in sentences describing the attainment or protection of resources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "secure something" is a robust and multifaceted expression used across diverse linguistic domains. Ludwig AI shows that it is most prevalent in professional journalism and technical reporting, where it describes the dual actions of acquiring valuable assets and protecting sensitive systems. Whether you are discussing a politician trying to "secure something" in a negotiation or a developer working to "secure something" like a database, the phrase implies a successful, definitive action. It remains a high-quality choice for writers seeking to convey reliability and achievement in their prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obtain something

Uses a more formal verb for the act of getting or acquiring.

acquire something

Often used in business or legal contexts for assets and property.

ensure something

Shifts the focus from the act of securing to making certain that a result occurs.

guarantee something

Implies a higher degree of certainty or a formal promise.

protect something

Emphasizes the safety and defense aspect of securing an object.

safeguard something

A formal and more emphatic way to describe protection and preservation.

finalize something

Specific to completing negotiations or agreements.

clinch something

An idiomatic choice often used for winning a deal or a championship.

lock down something

A more contemporary and informal way to imply total control or completion.

firm up something

Commonly used for making tentative plans or arrangements definitive.

FAQs

How do I use "secure something" in a professional sentence?

You can use it to describe reaching a goal or obtaining a resource, for example: "The team worked tirelessly to "secure funding" for the new research initiative".

What is the difference between "secure something" and "ensure something"?

While "secure something" often involves the physical or legal acquisition of an object, "ensure something" refers to making sure a specific event or condition happens.

Can "secure something" mean to fix something in place?

Yes, in a physical context, it means to fasten or attach something firmly, such as: "Make sure to "secure the load" before driving the truck".

What can I say instead of "secure something" in a business deal?

Depending on the stage of the deal, you might use alternatives like "clinch something", "finalize something" or "obtain something".