to safety

USAGE SUMMARY

"to safety" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used when talking about escaping or journeying to a safe place. For example, "He made a daring escape to safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Should I flee to safety?

Independent

Instructions directing people to safety.

Independent

Howard punches to safety.

The Guardian - Sport

He escaped to safety.

The New York Times

Could move to safety.

The New York Times - Sports

She quickly made it to safety.

The New York Times

Thomas could move to safety next season.

The New York Times - Sports

The right, he said, is to safety.

The New York Times

Her husband pulled her inside to safety.

The New York Times

There has been a flight to safety".

The New York Times

Instead, it reflects a flight to safety.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to safety" to clearly indicate movement or a transition towards a secure state, whether physical or metaphorical. It concisely conveys the purpose of escaping danger or seeking protection.

Common error

Avoid using "to safety" when describing a state of being already safe in a location. Instead of "They are to safety in their homes", say "They are safe in their homes" or "They found safety in their homes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to safety" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb of motion or action, indicating the destination or result of that action is a state of being safe. Ludwig AI validates its common usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to safety" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe movement or transition towards a secure state. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it frequently appears in news and media contexts, conveying reassurance or narrating escape from danger. While versatile, it should be distinguished from "in safety", which describes a state of being secure. The best practice is to use "to safety" when action or movement is involved, avoiding its overuse with static locations. Alternatives like "to a safe place" or "out of harm's way" can provide nuanced variations depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

towards safety

Indicates movement in the direction of a safe location, similar to "to safety" but emphasizes the direction.

to a secure location

Emphasizes the physical security of the destination.

into safe territory

Emphasizes entering a protected zone or area.

to a safe place

A more general alternative, suitable when the specific type of safety isn't crucial.

to security

Highlights the condition of being protected from danger or risk.

out of harm's way

Idiomatic expression indicating removal from a dangerous situation.

to refuge

Implies seeking shelter or protection from danger.

to sanctuary

Suggests a sacred or inviolable place of safety and protection.

to a haven

Implies reaching a place of peace and security, often after a difficult journey.

to protective custody

Refers to being taken into care by authorities for one's own protection.

FAQs

How can I use "to safety" in a sentence?

Use "to safety" to describe the act of moving or being moved to a place where one is free from danger. For example, "The firefighters guided the residents "to safety"."

What are some alternatives to "to safety"?

Alternatives include "to a safe place", "out of harm's way", or "into safe territory", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "to safety"?

It's appropriate when describing a transition or movement from a dangerous situation to a secure one, emphasizing the destination's protective qualities. Avoid using it when describing a static safe state.

Which is correct, "to safety" or "in safety"?

"To safety" implies movement or direction toward a safe location, while "in safety" describes a state of being secure or protected. Use "to safety" when action is involved.