play it safe

idiom

: to be careful and avoid risk or danger
I decided to play it safe and leave early so that I would be sure to arrive on time.

Examples of play it safe in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Natanael Cano isn’t one to play it safe, and neither is Anuel AA. Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 25 July 2025 Big teams often play it safe during the race’s flat opening week and ride in the peloton, saving valuable energy for the mountainous second and third weeks. Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 16 July 2025 Of course, most of the queens play it safe with an original song! Chris Feil, Vulture, 11 July 2025 Others will play it safe but risk losing out on higher sales volume and getting a leg up on competitors. Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for play it safe

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“Play it safe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20it%20safe. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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