calculate (something) into (something)

To include a particular amount as one does calculations. When you submit your travel expenses for reimbursement, be sure to calculate gas into the total. Wait, I didn't calculate the tip into each person's total, so we need to give the server more money. Ugh, I didn't calculate all these stupid resort fees into my vacation budget.

calculate in

To include a particular amount as one does calculations. A noun or pronoun can be used between "calculate" and "in." When you submit your travel expenses for reimbursement, be sure to calculate gas in. Wait, I didn't calculate in the tip, so we each need to chip in a bit more money. Ugh, when I made my vacation budget, I didn't calculate all these stupid resort fees in.

calculate on (something)

To consider or think about something. He'll have an answer for you soon—he's been calculating on your offer for days. I know your strategy didn't go according to plan, but don't despair—calculate on an alternative. Come up with something better. Has Adam picked a college yet, or is he still calculating on his options?

calculated risk

A risky action that has been carefully considered beforehand, in which the chance or likelihood of a beneficial outcome outweighs the risk or cost of failure. We decided to take the calculated risk of going to trial, rather than settling out of court. A: "I'm so nervous to take on the expense of a house, but I'm sick of throwing my money away on rent." B: "Well, homeownership is a calculated risk." Any surgery is a calculated risk, and this one is no different. Ultimately, though, you are a young, otherwise healthy person.

calculated risk

A chance taken after careful estimation of the probable outcome, as in Taking their dispute to arbitration was definitely a calculated risk. This term uses calculated in the sense of "planned with forethought," a usage from the mid-1800s. Its pairing with risk dates from World War II, when the chances for losing bombers were taken into account before a bombing mission was sent out. After the war the term was transferred to other undertakings where taking a chance to succeed had to be weighed against the costs of failure.

calculated risk

An action taken even though it might fail, because not taking it might be more dangerous. The term comes from World War II, where it was applied to the chances of losing bombers, personnel and equipment, weighed against the benefits of hurting the enemy. It soon was transferred to other situations. For example, “‘You don’t know a thing about him.’—‘It’s a calculated risk’” (Robert A. Heinlin, Double Star, 1956), or “We took the calculated risk of . . . using inanimate mother surrogates rather than real mothers” (Science, Aug. 21, 1959).