B1idiomdecisionsIELTS-friendly
play it safe
USUK
to avoid risks by choosing the careful option
Also 'to be on the safe side'. British English also says 'play safe'.
In context
I'll play it safe and leave for the airport three hours early.
Most students play it safe and choose a major their parents approve of.
More idioms about decisions
- a Catch-22a situation you can't escape because each solution depends on the other
- a change of hearta change in your opinion or plan, usually towards a kinder or different view
- a double-edged swordsomething that has both good and bad effects
- a fait accomplisomething already decided or done that others must now accept
- a foregone conclusiona result that is certain before it happens