Jeopardize vs You're gonna risk thousands of lives

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

Jeopardize

Beyond 10,000 (less common)B1verb

You're gonna risk thousands of lives

Beyond 10,000 (less common)
 JeopardizeYou're gonna risk thousands of lives
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //ˈdʒɛpədaɪz//🇺🇸 //ˈdʒɛpərdaɪz//🇬🇧 //jʊəːr ˈgʌnə rɪsk ˈθaʊzəndz əv laɪvz//🇺🇸 //jʊr ˈgɒnə rɪsk ˈθaʊzəndz əv laɪvz//
MeaningTo put something at risk or make it vulnerable.You are going to endanger many people's lives.
ExampleHis reckless driving could jeopardize the lives of others.You're gonna risk thousands of lives if you proceed with this plan.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonBeyond 10,000 (less common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR levelB1-
Part of speechverb
Collocationsjeopardize safety, jeopardize chances, jeopardize intereststake a risk, high risk, risk assessment, calculate risks, risk factors
Antonymsprotect, safeguard, secure-
Common mistakesConfusing 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.Confused with 'you're going to risk' (incorrect tense usage), Using 'gonna' in formal situations, Misunderstanding 'risk' as only a financial term
Usage notesUse in contexts where someone's actions may endanger a situation, plan, or safety. Avoid in overly casual situations.Use when discussing potential dangers. Appropriate in serious contexts, but avoid in light-hearted conversations.

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You're gonna risk thousands of lives

Frequently asked questions: Jeopardize vs You're gonna risk thousands of lives

What's the difference between Jeopardize and You're gonna risk thousands of lives?

Jeopardize: To put something at risk or make it vulnerable. You're gonna risk thousands of lives: You are going to endanger many people's lives.

Can you show an example of each?

Jeopardize: His reckless driving could jeopardize the lives of others. You're gonna risk thousands of lives: You're gonna risk thousands of lives if you proceed with this plan.

Can I use Jeopardize and You're gonna risk thousands of lives interchangeably?

Not always. Jeopardize and You're gonna risk thousands of lives 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.

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