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Business English Phrases About Risk – Learn, Practice, and Take the Quiz
- Erin West
- Dec 11, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 1
Welcome to the Business English Phrases Quiz!
Today’s Focus:
Useful Business English phrases for talking about taking risks and making bold moves in a professional context.
Today’s Challenge:
You and a colleague are discussing how your team managed to get a big discount from a software vendor, even though it seemed unlikely. You say:
It was a long ______, but we went ahead and tried negotiating for a better price, and it worked!
A) chance
B) shot
C) effort
D) risk
Choose the correct option and listen to the sentence.
Did you get it right? Click on KEY to see the definition and example sentences.
KEY
IT WAS A LONG SHOT
something had a very small chance of success, but it was still attempted
I applied for the job even though I knew it was a long shot.
Winning the lottery is a long shot, but people still buy tickets.
It was a long shot, but I applied for the scholarship anyway.
It was a long shot, but he asked if there were any last-minute tickets.
That's right! The correct answer is B) shot.
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Business English: Useful Phrases for High and Low Risk
Step 1. Select your answer.
Scroll down to learn what each phrase means and how to use it.
Step 2. Read the definitions and the examples.
TAKE A RISK
to do something that might fail but could also lead to success
She took a risk and started her own company.
We took a risk by launching the product without testing it fully.
He took a big risk quitting his job with no backup plan.
Taking risks is part of being an entrepreneur.
You won’t grow if you never take a risk.
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RUN THE RISK OF...
to be in danger of something bad happening
If we wait too long, we run the risk of missing the deadline.
If we ignore client feedback, we run the risk of losing them.
You run the risk of delays if you don’t confirm the delivery date.
They ran the risk of failure, but it paid off.
We run the risk of receiving bad reviews if the service isn’t improved.
AT RISK
in danger
Our jobs are at risk if sales don’t improve.
The company is at risk of bankruptcy.
Our data is at risk if we don’t update our security systems.
Many jobs are at risk due to automation.
Without insurance, your equipment is at risk.
PLAY WITH FIRE
to do something dangerous that could cause problems
He’s playing with fire by not following the rules.
Not saving your work is playing with fire.
He’s playing with fire by missing so many deadlines.
If you lie to your boss, you're playing with fire.
Not reading the contract carefully is like playing with fire.
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ON THE SAFE SIDE
to be extra careful to avoid problems
I brought an extra battery, just to be on the safe side.
Let’s bring a charger, just to be on the safe side.
I’ll double-check the numbers to be on the safe side.
We added extra support staff, just to be on the safe side.
He copied the email to his manager to be on the safe side.
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Step 3. Pick a question and tell us your thoughts in the comments!
Have you ever taken a big risk at work? How did it turn out?
Do you think it’s worth running the risk of failure to try something bold?
Have you ever felt your job was at risk? What caused that feeling?
Do you know someone at work who’s constantly playing with fire?
What’s something you always do just to be on the safe side?
ANSWER KEY
1. Sometimes you have to ____ a risk if you want to grow your business.
A) make
B) take
2. If we delay the project again, we _____ the risk of losing the client.
A) run
B) have
3. Our reputation is _____ risk if we don’t respond quickly to customer complaints.
A) at
B) on
4. He’s playing with _____ by ignoring those legal warnings.
A) fire
B) fires
5. I booked an extra day at the hotel, just to be on the safe ____.
A) site
B) side
Crushed it! Click the image below to try another Business English Quiz!
Business English Quiz
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