a calculated risk — deliberate risk
collocationC1IELTS 7+neutralcommon
an action that involves risk, but where the possible dangers have been carefully considered and judged to be worth taking, often to achieve a specific goal.
Say it like a native
Textbook I undertook a deliberate risk that I had carefully evaluated beforehand.
Native It was a calculated risk, but I went for it.
Natives compress the whole idea into the fixed phrase 'a calculated risk'; spelling out 'a deliberate risk I'd evaluated' is wordy.
Pattern: take/run/accept a calculated risk
In use
- Starting her own business was a calculated risk, but she felt confident after months of research.work
- In my opinion, taking a calculated risk is sometimes necessary if you want to achieve something significant, especially in business or when changing careers.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ It was a calculating risk.
✓ It was a calculated risk.
It's 'calculated' (weighed up); 'calculating' describes a cold, scheming person.
Common collocations
take a calculated risk— take, took, worth taking, deliberate
Don't confuse it
Unlike 'a risk' (any danger or chance), 'a calculated risk' means the risk has been weighed up and is taken deliberately, not impulsively.