Couldn't risk my family's safety vs Jeopardize

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Couldn't risk my family's safety

Top 2,000 (common)

Jeopardize

Beyond 10,000 (less common)B1verb
Most common: Couldn't risk my family's safety
 Couldn't risk my family's safetyJeopardize
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //ˈkʊdnt rɪsk maɪ ˈfæmliːs ˈseɪfti//🇺🇸 //ˈkʊdnt rɪsk maɪ ˈfæmiliːs ˈseɪfti//🇬🇧 //ˈdʒɛpədaɪz//🇺🇸 //ˈdʒɛpərdaɪz//
MeaningI couldn't endanger my family's safety.To put something at risk or make it vulnerable.
ExampleI couldn't risk my family's safety by going out during the storm.His reckless driving could jeopardize the lives of others.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR level-B1
Part of speechverb
Collocationsrisk the consequences, risk of injury, risk assessment, risk management, risk aversejeopardize safety, jeopardize chances, jeopardize interests
Antonyms-protect, safeguard, secure
Common mistakesConfusing 'risk' with 'take a risk' which implies a different context., Misusing 'safety' when referring to emotional well-being rather than physical safety., Omitting the possessive 'my' which changes the meaning.Confusing with 'jeopardy', which refers to risk but is a noun., Using it as an adjective instead of a verb., Incorrectly placing it as a noun.
Usage notesUsed in contexts discussing safety, often in serious situations. Suitable for both spoken and written English.Use in contexts where someone's actions may endanger a situation, plan, or safety. Avoid in overly casual situations.

See it in real clips

Couldn't risk my family's safety

Frequently asked questions: Couldn't risk my family's safety vs Jeopardize

What's the difference between Couldn't risk my family's safety and Jeopardize?

Couldn't risk my family's safety: I couldn't endanger my family's safety. Jeopardize: To put something at risk or make it vulnerable.

Which is more common: Couldn't risk my family's safety and Jeopardize?

Couldn't risk my family's safety is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Couldn't risk my family's safety: I couldn't risk my family's safety by going out during the storm. Jeopardize: His reckless driving could jeopardize the lives of others.

Can I use Couldn't risk my family's safety and Jeopardize interchangeably?

Not always. Couldn't risk my family's safety and Jeopardize are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

Related comparisons