safe

be as safe as houses (British & Australian)

to be very safe. Don't worry, I've locked your bicycle in the shed - it's as safe as houses.

See also: house

be in safe hands

if someone or something is in safe hands, they are being looked after by someone who can be trusted. I know my daughter's in safe hands at the nursery.

See also: hand

Better (to be) safe than sorry.

something that you say which means it is best not to take risks even if it seems boring or hard work to be careful. I'll hold the ladder while you climb up. Better safe than sorry.

See also: better, sorry

on safe ground

on dangerous ground - if you are on dangerous ground, you are talking about a subject which might upset or offend people. You'll be on safe ground if you ask him about his childhood.

See also: ground

play (it) safe (informal)

to be careful and not take risks. We decided to play safe and paint the walls a fairly neutral colour. They're playing it safe by not investing too much money until they've seen the first year's accounts.

See also: play

safe and sound

if you are safe and sound, you are not harmed in any way, although you were in a dangerous situation. It was a difficult drive but we all arrived safe and sound.

See also: sound

a safe bet (British, American & Australian, American)

1. something that you are certain will happen. It's a safe bet that those two will settle down and have children. Wheeler is a sure bet for a place on the team.

(British, American & Australian, American)

2. someone or something that you are certain will win or succeed. She is still a safe bet for re-election. Simplicity of design is a sure bet in the fashion world.

See also: bet

a safe pair of hands (British & Australian)

someone who you can trust to do an important job well without making mistakes. He's what this troubled club needs, a good, solid manager, a safe pair of hands.

See also: hand, pair

to be on the safe side

if you do something to be on the safe side, you do something that may not be necessary in order to protect yourself against possible problems. I don't think there are any broken bones, but you should have an X-ray just to be on the safe side.

See also: side

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better safe than sorry

being careful is probably more desirable than risking a bad result. Concerned about the attacks, he sent his son out of the village, figuring, better safe than sorry.

See also: better, sorry

in safe hands

at the hands of someone

See also: hand

play it safe

to avoid any risk. I like to play it safe with my investments. Once you have the ball, you can decide whether you want to be aggressive or play it safe.

See also: play

safe and sound

not hurt. After three days of searching for them, the hikers were found safe and sound.

See also: sound

(just) to be on the safe side

so that you can prevent something unpleasant from happening. Just to be on the safe side, ask your doctor to test your iron levels.

See also: side