Idioms

calculated risk

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.
See also: calculated, risk
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

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.
See also: calculated, risk
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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).
See also: calculated, risk
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
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References in periodicals archive
"Time will tell, but we think we have increased the quality of the squad, and also taken a calculated risk -- because I had to.
Sunderland's January transfers were a 'calculated risk,' admits Sam Allardyce; Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce says he had to bring in fresh faces in the January transfer window to give the Black Cats a chance of survival
"You are someone I'm prepared to take a calculated risk on."
Illicit 'career' cut short by police stop
Calculated Risk Motorcycle currently has five locations, Adam Smith's Texas Harley-Davidson in Bedford, TX, Adam Smith's Texoma Harley-Davidson in Sherman, TX, and as of 2015 the group has added Adam Smith's Harley-Davidson of Waco, Adam Smith's Roughneck Harley-Davidson in Longview, TX, and Adam Smith's Lumberjack Harley-Davidson in Nacogdoches, TX.
Calculated Risk Motorcycle Group Ranked No. 3 of Powersports Business Power 50 Dealers
29 January 2015 - US-based motorcycle dealership operator Adam Smith's Calculated Risk Group has reacquired the Harley-Davidson of Waco dealership, the company said.
Adam Smith's Calculated Risk Reacquires Waco Harley-Davidson Dealership
When success is less than a sure thing but through analysis of the salient aspects of the problem, including costs and consequences of failure, a commander decides to proceed nonetheless, we can say that he is taking a "calculated risk."
Lessons for today
Global Banking News-December 31, 2014--HDFC head says banks need to take calculated risks
HDFC head says banks need to take calculated risks
"It's a calculated risk, lose this fight and I lose my shot at Dirrell.
Groves set for Liverpool on Bellew card
Groves said: "This is a calculated risk, lose this fight and I lose a shot at Dirrell."
Groves risks a tilt at title; BOXING
Party Rock isn't a second-season hurdler, neither is Vendor, so we are quickly down to a short list of Dell' Arca, Clondaw Kaempfer, Bayan, Kaylif Aramis, Indevan, Calculated Risk and Foxcub.
Shrewd Elliott's Bayan money; VALUE SCOPE; DAVE MITCHELL goes through the 2.05 and 2.40 at Cheltenham
At the time the club had a rigid wage structure - it may not any more, I don't know - and all I suggested was possibly taking a calculated risk.
SOME of the snide comments posted
WEST Ham manager Sam Allardyce admits he will be taking a "calculated risk" if he involves Andy Carroll in the Hammers' crunch Premier League meeting with Cardiff today.
Under-pressure Allardyce weighing up Carroll risk
When asked to estimate their lifetime personal breast cancer risk, just 9.4% of the women gave a value that was within 10% of their actual calculated risk, according to data reported in a press briefing held in advance of the breast cancer symposium sponsored by the American Society of Clinical Oncology
Most women don't know their own breast cancer risk
And Hesson admits it would now be a "calculated risk" were Vettori to be selected for New Zealand's first match of the Champions Trophy, a one-day international tournament featuring the world's top eight 50-over teams, against Sri Lanka in Cardiff on Sunday.
Vettori 'not vital' to New Zealand - coach
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