play it safe
idiom
: to be careful and avoid risk or danger
I decided to play it safe and leave early so that I would be sure to arrive on time.
Examples of play it safe in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With heat indexes once again reaching near 105, remember to play it safe in the heat by seeking shade, staying hydrated, and frequently checking on children, older adults and pets.
—
Molly Robey, Washington Post, 23 June 2024
The highest-level estimator reasons about risk and figures out when to move fast and when to play it safe.
—Jacek Krywko, Ars Technica, 3 Apr. 2024
Well, newsflash: while major labels continue to play it safe, stacking their decks with tried and true formulas, the digital domain has democratized the music industry.
—Seth Yudof, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2024
However, Bumble is a high-quality alternative, especially for women who want to play it safe in the dating jungle.
—PCMAG, 6 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for play it safe 
Molly Robey, Washington Post, 23 June 2024
The highest-level estimator reasons about risk and figures out when to move fast and when to play it safe.
—Jacek Krywko, Ars Technica, 3 Apr. 2024
Well, newsflash: while major labels continue to play it safe, stacking their decks with tried and true formulas, the digital domain has democratized the music industry.
—Seth Yudof, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2024
However, Bumble is a high-quality alternative, especially for women who want to play it safe in the dating jungle.
—PCMAG, 6 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for play it safe
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'play it safe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near play it safe
Cite this Entry
“Play it safe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20it%20safe. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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