jeopardize

Imagine building a sandcastle on the beach. A wave could jeopardize it by putting it at risk of being washed away. To jeopardize something is to put it in danger or make its success less likely. You might jeopardize your health by not getting enough sleep, or a company might jeopardize its reputation through poor customer service. The word usually suggests that something important could be lost, harmed, or ruined.

To jeopardize something means to put it at risk of harm, loss, or failure. The word has an interesting history: it comes from the Old French term "jeu parti," which literally means a "divided game." In such a game, the outcome was uncertain. Something was "in jeopardy" because it could easily be lost.

Today, we use jeopardize to describe situations in which something valuable is threatened by an action, decision, or circumstance. It usually suggests serious danger and possible negative results. For example: "Ignoring safety regulations could jeopardize the entire project," or "His reckless spending jeopardized his family's financial security."

Jeopardize often appears when a specific choice, condition, or event creates the danger of failure. A storm might jeopardize a rescue mission by making success less certain. The word is also often used in a figurative way for things like reputations, relationships, plans, or career opportunities: "He jeopardized his career by engaging in unethical behavior."

So, when you hear the word jeopardize, think of putting something important in a dangerous position, where it may be harmed, lost, or unable to succeed.