take a risk

Meaning

This expression means to do something although you know that something bad or dangerous could happen as a result. It is used when making decisions that involve uncertainty, whether in business, personal life, or daily adventures. The tone is neutral and can be encouraging or advisory.

Examples

• You have to take a risk sometimes if you want to succeed in life.

  You have to take a risk sometimes if you want to succeed in life.

• I decided to take a risk and invest some money in his new startup.

  I decided to take a risk and invest some money in his new startup.

• Starting your own business is always a gamble, but I was ready to take a risk.

  Starting your own business is always a gamble, but I was ready to take a risk.

• She wasn't sure if she would like the food, but she decided to take a risk and order it.

  She wasn't sure if she would like the food, but she decided to take a risk and order it.

• Don't take a risk with your health; go see a doctor if you feel unwell.

  Don't take a risk with your health; go see a doctor if you feel unwell.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I don't want to make a risk with my money.

  ✓ I don't want to take a risk with my money.

  In English, the verb collocation for 'risk' is 'take' or 'run', not 'make'.

• ✗ He took the risk to jumping over the fence.

  ✓ He took the risk of jumping over the fence.

  Use the preposition 'of' followed by a gerund (-ing form) after 'take the risk'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you never ___, you will never know what you are truly capable of.

  💡 Do something that might fail but could lead to success.

  Show answer

  take a risk

• I'm not ready to ___ with my career right now.

  💡 Accept a danger or uncertainty.

  Show answer

  take a risk