To put something in danger of being harmed, lost, or destroyed. It means creating a serious risk for someone or something.
From “jeopardy,” meaning “danger,” plus the verb-forming suffix “-ize.” “Jeopardy” itself comes from Old French “jeu parti,” meaning “divided game” or “even chance,” referring to a risky situation where the outcome could go either way. Over time, the sense narrowed to mean serious danger.
At its root, “jeopardize” comes from the idea of a game balanced on a knife-edge, where either side could win. That’s why the famous quiz show “Jeopardy!” uses the name—you’re always at risk of losing your money with one wrong answer. When you jeopardize something, you’re turning it into a high-stakes gamble.
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