peril Definition
- 1serious and immediate danger
- 2exposure to the risk of harm or loss
Using peril: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "peril" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The ship was in peril of sinking.
Example
He endangered his own life by trying to save them from peril.
Example
The company is in financial peril.
Example
The climbers were in grave peril on the icy mountain.
peril Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using peril
Example
He thought he could escape his financial troubles by gambling, but he was just jumping out of the frying pan into the fire.
to be in a difficult situation where there are two equally unpleasant choices
Example
She was caught between the devil and the deep blue sea: either she could lose her job or work overtime every day.
Example
You're playing with fire if you try to fix the electrical wiring yourself.
Phrases with peril
if someone does something at their peril, they do it although they know it is dangerous or likely to have bad results
Example
You go out in this weather without a coat at your peril.
Example
The explorers embarked on a perilous journey through the jungle.
Example
The firefighters entered the burning building at the peril of their lives.
Origins of peril
from Old French 'peril', from Latin 'periculum', meaning 'trial, test, danger'
Summary: peril in Brief
The term 'peril' [ˈperəl] refers to serious and immediate danger or exposure to the risk of harm or loss. It can describe physical danger, financial risk, or other types of jeopardy, as in 'The company is in financial peril.' Phrases like 'at one's peril' and idioms like 'out of the frying pan into the fire' convey the sense of danger and risk.
