jeopardy
noun /ˈdʒepədi/
/ˈdʒepərdi/
Word OriginMiddle English iuparti, from Old French ieu parti ‘(evenly) divided game’. The term was originally used in chess and other games to denote a problem, or a position in which the chances of winning or losing were evenly balanced, hence ‘a dangerous situation’.
Idioms Idioms
in jeopardy
- in a dangerous position or situation and likely to be lost or harmed
- The civil war has put thousands of lives in jeopardy.
- The future of the school and 50 jobs are in jeopardy.
- Thousands of jobs could be in jeopardy.