calculated risk
noun
a chance of failure, the probability of which is estimated before some action is undertaken.
Words nearby calculated risk
calcsinter,
calcspar,
calculable,
calculate,
calculated,
calculated risk,
calculating,
calculating machine,
calculation,
calculator,
calculosis
Idioms and Phrases with calculated risk
calculated risk
A chance taken after careful estimation of the probable outcome, as in Taking their dispute to arbitration was definitely a calculated risk. This term uses calculated in the sense of “planned with forethought,” a usage from the mid-1800s. Its pairing with risk dates from World War II, when the chances for losing bombers were taken into account before a bombing mission was sent out. After the war the term was transferred to other undertakings where taking a chance to succeed had to be weighed against the costs of failure.