Idiom: Safe and Sound: Explained with Examples

Table of Contents

Definition with Examples

The idiom safe and sound means to be free from danger or injury and in good health. It is often used to express relief that someone has returned unharmed or has avoided potential harm.

  • After the long and treacherous journey, we were all relieved to see the hikers arrive home safe and sound.
  • Despite the severe storm, all the ships managed to dock safe and sound.

Explanation

Imagine you’re in a movie where the hero goes on a wild adventure, dodging dragons, jumping over chasms, and narrowly escaping evil wizards. After all this peril, they finally return home, not even a scratch on them. Someone exclaims, “You’re safe and sound!” It’s like saying, “Phew, you made it back in one piece without losing any limbs or sanity!”

Emotion it Expresses

The idiom safe and sound expresses relief, reassurance, and comfort. It often conveys a sense of happiness that a loved one or something valuable has not been harmed or lost.

Historical Usage

The phrase safe and sound has been in use since at least the Middle Ages. The word “sound” in this context means “healthy” or “in good condition,” a usage that dates back to Old English. Historically, the idiom has been used in literature and conversation to convey the dual assurance of safety and good health.

Sentence Examples

  1. After the car accident, it was a miracle that everyone involved was safe and sound.
  2. The parents were worried sick until their child returned home safe and sound from the school trip.
  3. The rescue team worked tirelessly to ensure all the trapped miners were brought out safe and sound.
  4. The package arrived safe and sound despite the rough handling during transit.
  5. They braved the storm and made it to the shelter safe and sound.

Dialogues

    1. John: “Did you hear about the avalanche on the mountain?”
      Sarah: “Yes, but thankfully, all the climbers were found safe and sound.”

    2. Emma: “I was so scared during the turbulence!”
      Jake: “Me too, but we landed safe and sound.”

    3. Tom: “How’s your grandma after the surgery?”
      Linda: “She’s recovering well and came out of it safe and sound.”

    4. Mike: “Did you hear about the fire at the warehouse?”
      Sam: “Yes, but all the workers escaped safe and sound.”

    5. Anna: “How was your trip to the rainforest?”
      Ben: “It was adventurous, but we returned safe and sound.”

Exercise Questions

  1. Use the idiom safe and sound in a sentence about a vacation.
  2. Write a dialogue where one person reassures another using safe and sound.
  3. Explain a situation in which someone might say, “I’m glad you’re safe and sound.”
  4. Use safe and sound in a sentence about a pet.
  5. Create a short story ending with the phrase safe and sound.

Regional Variations

In the United States, safe and sound is commonly used in everyday language and media to express relief and reassurance. In India, while the phrase is also understood and used, regional languages might have their own equivalents. For example, in Hindi, one might say “सकुशल” (sakushal) to convey a similar meaning.

Summary

The idiom safe and sound refers to being free from danger or injury and in good health. This expression is often used to convey relief that someone has returned unharmed or has avoided potential harm. For example, “After the long and treacherous journey, we were all relieved to see the hikers arrive home safe and sound,” and “Despite the severe storm, all the ships managed to dock safe and sound.”

To understand this idiom, imagine a movie hero going through various dangers and coming back without any harm. When someone exclaims, “You’re safe and sound,” it’s like saying, “You made it back without any injuries or issues!” The idiom expresses emotions of relief, reassurance, and comfort, indicating happiness that a loved one or something valuable has not been harmed.

Historically, the phrase safe and sound has been in use since at least the Middle Ages. The word “sound” in this context means “healthy” or “in good condition,” a usage that dates back to Old English. It has been used in literature and conversation to convey assurance of safety and good health.

Additional Sentence Examples

  1. After the car accident, it was a miracle that everyone involved was safe and sound.
  2. The parents were worried sick until their child returned home safe and sound from the school trip.
  3. The rescue team worked tirelessly to ensure all the trapped miners were brought out safe and sound.
  4. The package arrived safe and sound despite the rough handling during transit.
  5. They braved the storm and made it to the shelter safe and sound.
  6. After the earthquake, it was a relief to find the entire family safe and sound.
  7. The lost hiker was found safe and sound after two days in the forest.
  8. The firefighters managed to rescue the dog from the burning house safe and sound.
  9. The soldiers returned from the mission safe and sound, much to the relief of their families.
  10. The priceless artwork was recovered safe and sound after the museum robbery.

Dialogues

  1. John: “Did you hear about the avalanche on the mountain?”
    Sarah: “Yes, but thankfully, all the climbers were found safe and sound.”

  2. Emma: “I was so scared during the turbulence!”
    Jake: “Me too, but we landed safe and sound.”

  3. Tom: “How’s your grandma after the surgery?”
    Linda: “She’s recovering well and came out of it safe and sound.”

  4. Mike: “Did you hear about the fire at the warehouse?”
    Sam: “Yes, but all the workers escaped safe and sound.”

  5. Anna: “How was your trip to the rainforest?”
    Ben: “It was adventurous, but we returned safe and sound.”

Exercise Questions

    1. Use the idiom safe and sound in a sentence about a vacation.
    2. Write a dialogue where one person reassures another using safe and sound.
    3. Explain a situation in which someone might say, “I’m glad you’re safe and sound.”
    4. Use safe and sound in a sentence about a pet.
    5. Create a short story ending with the phrase safe and sound.