safe
safe — noun
1. a metal container with a lock, used in homes, banks, and shops to keep money, je
a metal container with a lock, used in homes, banks, and shops to keep money, jewellery, important documents, and other valuable things out of the reach of thieves or protected from fire and damage.
Aunt Ayana keeps her grandmother's pearl necklace in a small safe under her bed.
keep [valuable] in a safe
The hotel safe in the wardrobe lets guests store their passports and cash.
hotel safe — for storing valuables while travelling
Ryan opened the heavy steel safe and took out the contracts.
The thieves could not break into the bank's main safe.
break into a safe — forced entry
We keep our important documents in a fireproof safe at home.
fireproof safe — safe designed to protect items from fire
- open a safe
- close a safe
- break into a safe
- keep something in a safe
- take something out of a safe
- safe combination
- safe-deposit box
Grammar Patterns
often used in compounds (safe-deposit box, safecracker)
Common Mistakes
safe — adjective
1. in a situation where nobody and nothing can hurt you; kept away from anything da
in a situation where nobody and nothing can hurt you; kept away from anything dangerous.
Hoa kept her passport in a safe place under the bed.
collocation: safe place
The children felt safe inside the school building during the storm.
feel + safe (subjective sense of security)
Adisa stayed safe by wearing a helmet whenever he rode his bicycle.
stay/keep + safe (preventive action)
Quinn made sure the ladder was safe to climb before going up to the roof.
- safe place
- keep safe
- feel safe
- safe from
- safe haven
- secure
emphasises being firmly protected, often with locks or barriers
- protected
focuses on active measures taken to prevent harm
- out of danger
more emphatic; used after a crisis has passed
Grammar Patterns
safe from + danger/harm/threat
Usage Note
Often paired with 'from' to name the danger: 'safe from the storm', 'safe from attack'. Also common with 'keep' as a transitive phrasal verb ('keep someone safe').
Common Mistakes
2. having gone through a dangerous situation without being hurt, damaged, or lost.
having gone through a dangerous situation without being hurt, damaged, or lost.
The firefighters brought every family member out of the burning house safe.
bring someone out safe (resultative pattern)
Cyrus returned from his hiking trip safe, though his backpack was torn.
return + safe (motion verb resultative)
All the passengers on the bus were safe after the accident on the highway.
The cat climbed down from the tree safe, with nothing more than muddy paws.
climb + safe (motion verb + adjective result)
- return safe
- emerge safe
- come through safe
- safe and well
Grammar Patterns
arrive/return/come back + safe
Usage Note
This sense is resultative — it describes the outcome of a dangerous event. It typically appears after verbs of motion (return, arrive, emerge, come through) rather than before a noun. Compare 'a safe child' (sense 1, always protected) with 'the child is safe' (sense 2, after a fall).
Common Mistakes
3. completely unharmed and without injury, especially after a difficult journey, lo
completely unharmed and without injury, especially after a difficult journey, long absence, or frightening experience.
Eli's family was relieved that he arrived safe and sound after the long flight.
idiomatic phrase: arrive safe and sound
The missing hikers were found safe and sound in a forest cabin three days later.
passive: were found safe and sound
Camila texted her mother to say she was safe and sound after the earthquake.
The package arrived safe and sound despite the rough handling at the airport.
used for objects as well as people
- safe and sound
- arrive safe and sound
- found safe and sound
- unscathed
more formal; suggests a dangerous event was narrowly avoided
- in one piece
informal; can apply to people or objects after a risky situation
Grammar Patterns
arrive/reach + safe and sound
Usage Note
Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'safe and sound'. The 'and sound' part adds emphasis — 'sound' here means 'in good condition'. Unlike sense 2, this sense implies a positive emotional resolution (relief) and is typically used after journeys, searches, or crises with an uncertain outcome.
Common Mistakes
4. not likely to cause injury, damage, problems, or negative consequences; posing l
not likely to cause injury, damage, problems, or negative consequences; posing little or no risk.
Is this water safe to drink after boiling it for five minutes?
pattern: safe to + verb
Saira checked that the playground equipment was safe for small children.
pattern: safe for + person
The wooden bridge did not look safe enough to walk across with a heavy load.
pattern: safe enough to + verb
Hyun chose a safe route through the mountains that avoided the steep cliffs.
- safe to drink
- safe for children
- safe environment
- safe level
- harmless
stronger — cannot cause any harm at all; 'safe' allows for minor risk
- risk-free
informal; emphasises no chance of negative outcome
- non-hazardous
formal/technical, especially for chemicals or materials
Grammar Patterns
safe for + person/thing
safe to + infinitive
safe enough to + infinitive
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 describes a person's state (being free from danger), while sense 4 describes an activity, object, or situation (not causing danger). 'The children are safe' (sense 1) means they are not in danger; 'the pool is safe' (sense 4) means the pool will not harm them.
Common Mistakes
5. (of a place, container, or location) designed or suitable for keeping things pro
(of a place, container, or location) designed or suitable for keeping things protected from theft, damage, or loss.
Joshua put his grandmother's ring in a safe drawer with a lock on it.
collocation: safe drawer / safe place
The museum keeps its most valuable paintings in a safe room that nobody can enter.
Ingrid found a safe spot under the stairs to store her emergency supplies.
collocation: safe spot
The hotel provides a safe box in every room for guests to store their passports.
collocation: safe box (often 'safe-deposit box')
- safe place
- safe spot
- safe room
- safe box
- safe deposit
Grammar Patterns
a safe place/spot/area for + object
Usage Note
This sense specifically applies to a location or container. Use 'safe place' when talking about storage (a drawer, a cupboard, a room). Do not confuse with the noun 'safe' (sense 1 of noun), which is a metal box with a lock. This adjective describes the quality of a place; the noun names the object itself.
Common Mistakes
6. carefully chosen or done so that there is little risk of failure, criticism, or
carefully chosen or done so that there is little risk of failure, criticism, or negative results; cautious rather than adventurous.
It is safe to say that Christopher will win the cooking competition this year.
pattern: it is safe to say that...
Hannah decided the train was safer than driving in the heavy snow.
comparative form: safer to + verb
Choosing a plain white shirt for the interview was the safe option.
collocation: safe option
The bank made a safe investment in government bonds rather than new companies.
collocation: safe investment
- safe bet
- safe option
- safe choice
- safe investment
- play it safe
- safe to say
- cautious
describes a person's careful behaviour rather than the choice itself
- sensible
implies good judgement, not just avoiding risk
- uncontroversial
specifically about opinions or statements that won't upset anyone
Grammar Patterns
it is safe to + verb
a safe + noun (bet/choice/assumption)
play (it) safe
Usage Note
This sense can have a slightly negative tone — a 'safe choice' may be sensible but also boring or unadventurous. The phrase 'play it safe' is a common idiom meaning to avoid taking risks. 'It is safe to say' is a fixed expression used before making a confident statement.
Common Mistakes
7. describes a political constituency or elected position where one party wins so c
describes a political constituency or elected position where one party wins so consistently that another party has almost no chance of winning.
Hao's party has held this safe seat for over forty years.
collocation: safe seat
Trang rarely campaigns in the safe seat because her victory is nearly guaranteed.
predicative use: seat is safe
The seat has been safe for the Conservatives since the 1980s.
Candidates for a safe seat seldom worry about losing an election.
With such a large majority, the district is considered a safe seat.
- safe seat
- hold a safe seat
- safe Conservative / Labour / Democratic seat
- uncontestable
more formal; describes a position not seriously challenged
- unbeatable
focuses on the incumbent's strength rather than the district's history
- marginal
describes a seat where the result is uncertain
- swing seat
a seat that often changes between parties
Usage Note
Usually appears before the noun (a safe seat). Refers to the constituency itself, not to the candidate.
Common Mistakes
8. in baseball, describes a batter or runner who reaches a base successfully before
in baseball, describes a batter or runner who reaches a base successfully before the opposing team can tag them out.
The umpire shouted 'safe' as Benjamin slid into second base.
umpire's call: 'safe'
Valentina was called safe at first base after a very close play.
passive: be called safe
Zayd was safe at third base after a close play, and the home crowd cheered.
predicative adjective: was safe at [base]
The runner was safe by less than a second, beating the throw.
Maja's safe hit brought two runners home for her team.
collocation: safe hit
- safe at first / second / third base
- called safe
- safe hit
- out
the opposite ruling when a runner fails to reach base in time
Usage Note
Only used in baseball contexts. The opposite call is out. Can be used as the umpire's exclamation (Safe!) or as a description (The runner is safe).
Common Mistakes
9. used in casual conversation, especially among young people, to say that someone
used in casual conversation, especially among young people, to say that someone or something is good, likeable, or cool.
Tamar got tickets to the concert — that is so safe of her!
so safe — intensifier with slang approval
Lauren's new haircut is absolutely safe, I love it.
That film was proper safe, mate — you should watch it.
informal register: proper safe
Reema said the party was safe, so we should definitely go.
Beatrix's playlist is always safe — every track is a hit.
- so safe
- absolutely safe
- proper safe
- rubbish
British slang for something bad or low quality
Usage Note
Informal slang, most common among younger speakers in British English. Can describe both people (He's safe — he's a good person) and things (That tune is safe — that song is great).
Common Mistakes
10. a one-word reply in casual talk, especially among young people, confirming that
a one-word reply in casual talk, especially among young people, confirming that you accept a suggestion, approve a plan, or take someone up on an offer.
Stephanie suggested pizza for dinner, and Nala simply said 'Safe.'
one-word reply accepting a suggestion
'I can give you a lift home.' 'Safe, thanks mate!'
When Hao offered to drive, Trang replied 'safe, appreciate it.'
safe + expression of thanks
Zayd proposed going to the beach, and everyone nodded and said 'safe.'
Reema said 'safe' when Lauren offered to share her lecture notes.
- say safe
- reply safe
- nah
informal rejection of an offer or suggestion
Usage Note
Used as a stand-alone interjection in response to an offer or suggestion. Common in British youth slang. Unlike sense 9, this sense does not describe a person or thing — it is a reply token.
Common Mistakes
used to say that it is better to be careful now, even if it takes extra effort, than to take a risk and regret it later.
Adisa brought an umbrella even though the sky looked clear — better safe than sorry.
I always back up my files before updating the software; better safe than sorry.
play (it) safe
idiomto choose a course of action that involves the least risk, even if it means missing out on a possible reward.
Instead of investing in a new tech company, Hyun played it safe and put his money in a savings account.
The chef played safe by serving classic dishes that everyone would enjoy.
safe and sound
idiomcompletely unharmed and in good condition after a dangerous or difficult experience.
The rescue team found the child safe and sound at the bottom of the hill.
After three days of searching, the dog was returned to its owner safe and sound.
a safe bet
idioma prediction or choice that is very likely to be correct or successful; something you can rely on.
It is a safe bet that Camila will arrive late — she is never on time.
For a light lunch, a salad from that café is a safe bet.
it is safe to say
idiomused to introduce a statement that you believe is certainly true and most people would agree with.
It is safe to say that nobody expected the team to win the championship this season.
After the rain flooded the basement, it was safe to say the party was cancelled.
a good/safe/sure bet
idiomSomething that is very likely to happen, succeed, or be appropriate.
Buying a gift card is a safe bet for any occasion.
Is it a good bet that Maya will win the race?
Being taken care of well by someone you trust.
The patient is in safe hands with Dr. Lee.
We left our cat in the safe hands of our neighbor.
on the safe side
idiomBeing very careful to avoid any risk or danger.
I brought an umbrella to be on the safe side.
To be on the safe side, check the locks twice.
(as) safe as houses
idiomExtremely safe and secure.
This investment is as safe as houses, according to Brian.
Is the neighborhood as safe as houses for children?
Feeling confident because you know something is true or will happen.
She slept safe in the knowledge that the door was locked.
Safe in the knowledge that help was coming, Diego waited calmly.
a safe pair of hands
idiomA person who can be trusted to do a job well and reliably.
The manager considers Sara a safe pair of hands.
Is Aiden a safe pair of hands for this project?
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: adjective/1
Safe 是最通用的詞，強調沒有危險或傷害的狀態。Secure 語氣較強，強調經過刻意保護而達到的安全狀態，通常指上了鎖、有警衛或防護措施。Protected 強調受到外力的保護（由他人或機構），而非本身具有安全特性。Harmless 則指不會造成傷害，常用來描述動物、物質或活動，而非人的狀態。舉例來說：This neighborhood is safe（這個社區安全）；The door is secure（門鎖好了）；Children are protected by law（兒童受法律保護）；The spider is harmless（這隻蜘蛛無害）。
Common collocations
Nouns
- safe place
- safe haven
- safe keeping
- safe passage
Phrases
- safe and sound
- a safe bet
- play it safe
Prepositions
- safe from
Etymology
Safe comes from Old French 'sauf' (meaning free from harm), which traces back to Latin 'salvus' (meaning unharmed, healthy, safe). The word entered English in the 13th century. The noun sense (a strongbox for valuables) developed much later, in the early 17th century.