take (one's or someone's) life in(to) (one's) (own) hands
To do or engage in something risky that could result in the loss of one's or someone else's life or livelihood. I felt like I was taking my life into my own hands climbing up the rickety old structure. Are you sure you trust these tour guides? They're taking our lives in their hands out here in the wild.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
take someone's life in one's hands
Fig. to risk someone's life. If you go into the war zone, you will be taking your life in your hands. Ted didn't want to take his life in his hands by going there alone.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
take (one's) life in (one's) hands
To take a dangerous risk.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.