play safe

Meaning

1. Oxford100% of films

   to be careful; to avoid risks

   I survive because I play it safe and follow the rules.

   You better be playing safe.

In the movies · 6

• I survive because I play it safe and follow the rules.Zombieland2009
• Yeah, we'll go down there and play it safe. Maybe keep our hand in a little bit.Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid1969
• I guess he's gonna play it safe with a long, slow descent.North by Northwest1959
• Play it safeTangled2010
• Play it safe?The Mitchells vs. the Machines2021
• No. Play it safe.The Smurfs2011
• You better be playing safe.Mysterious Skin2005
• Stay in the army, play it safe.You Don't Mess with the Zohan2008

Learn it in full scenes

• Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid1969
  • Sundance Accused of Cheating at Cards
  • Harvey Challenges Butch's Leadership
  • The Posse Rides Out

From the same entry

• better safe than sorry
• in safe hands
• on the safe side
• safe as houses
• safe in the knowledge that
• a safe pair of hands
• a good bet

More idioms

• under the impression that
• be bothered
• hands off
• open your eyes
• bite off more than you can chew
• head over heels in love
• light at the end of the tunnel
• stab in the back
• on account of
• get nowhere
• be in the bag
• take by surprise