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hors de danger

B1 noun 12 min read

hors de danger

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips hors de danger in 30 Seconds

Explanation hors de danger in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just beginning to learn how to describe states of being. 'Hors de danger' might seem a bit long, but you can understand it by breaking it down. 'Hors' means 'out' and 'danger' is the same word in English. So, it simply means 'out of danger.' You will mostly use it with the verb 'être' (to be). For example: 'Il est hors de danger.' This is a very useful phrase to know if you are watching the news or reading a simple story about a hero saving someone. You don't need to worry about changing the words for masculine or feminine; it always stays 'hors de danger.' Just remember to include the 'de' in the middle! It’s a great way to show you can use more than just the word 'safe' (en sécurité).

By A2, you are starting to use more descriptive phrases. 'Hors de danger' is a 'locution adverbiale'—a group of words that acts like a single description. You can use it to talk about health or safety after an accident. At this level, you should practice using it with different subjects: 'Nous sommes hors de danger' or 'La ville est hors de danger.' Notice how the phrase never changes, which makes it very easy to use once you memorize the three words. You might also see it in simple signs or public announcements during bad weather. It is important to distinguish this from 'dehors' (outside). Use 'hors de danger' for safety, and 'dehors' for when you are going into the garden. It adds a bit of drama and precision to your French that simple words like 'bien' or 'ok' cannot provide.

At the B1 level, you are expected to handle more complex situations, such as explaining a medical emergency or a rescue operation. 'Hors de danger' is the perfect phrase for this. You should now be comfortable using it with verbs other than 'être.' For example, 'Le sauveteur a mis les enfants hors de danger.' Here, you are using the verb 'mettre' (to put), which shows an action being taken. You should also understand the nuance: being 'hors de danger' means the worst part of a crisis is over. It’s often used in the news to describe the 'pronostic vital' (life-threatening condition) of someone. If their 'pronostic vital' is no longer 'engagé,' they are 'hors de danger.' This phrase is a key part of the vocabulary for discussing current events and social issues in French-speaking countries.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'hors de danger' in more abstract and metaphorical contexts. It’s not just about physical life and death anymore. You might use it to discuss economics: 'Après la crise financière, la banque est enfin hors de danger.' Or in politics: 'Le gouvernement se croit hors de danger après le vote, mais la contestation continue.' At this stage, you should also be aware of its synonyms and choose the most appropriate one for the register. 'Tiré d'affaire' is a more idiomatic alternative you might use in a debate or a casual conversation, while 'hors de danger' remains the best choice for a formal presentation or a written report. You should also be careful with prepositions: 'hors de' vs 'à l'abri de.' 'Hors de danger' means the danger is behind you, while 'à l'abri de' means you are currently protected from it.

For C1 learners, 'hors de danger' is a foundational phrase that you can use to build more complex rhetorical structures. You might use it in a concessive clause: 'Bien que l'entreprise soit désormais hors de danger sur le plan financier, elle doit encore regagner la confiance des consommateurs.' You should also recognize its use in literary and high-level journalistic texts where it might be contrasted with 'en sursis' (on borrowed time). Your mastery should include understanding the subtle stylistic choice of using this phrase over 'en sécurité' to emphasize the narrowness of the escape. Furthermore, you should be familiar with the history of the word 'hors' (from the Latin 'foris') and how it has evolved to form various idiomatic expressions that share a similar logical structure, such as 'hors de cause' or 'hors de propos.'

At the C2 level, 'hors de danger' is used with complete spontaneity and precision. You understand its place in the broader landscape of French locutions and can use it to craft nuanced arguments. You might explore the philosophical implications of being 'hors de danger' in a literary analysis, or use it ironically in a political commentary to suggest a premature sense of triumph. You are also capable of identifying rare variations like 'hors de péril' in classical texts (like those of Racine or Molière) and understanding how the modern 'hors de danger' has replaced them in common usage. Your grasp of the phrase is such that you can play with its structure in creative writing or use it in high-stakes professional environments, such as medical ethics or international diplomacy, where the exact status of a subject’s safety must be communicated with absolute clarity.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

hors de danger in 30 Seconds

Used to describe being safe after a period of threat or risk.
Commonly used in medical, news, and emergency contexts.
A fixed phrase: it never changes for gender or number.
Always requires the preposition 'de' between 'hors' and 'danger'.

The French expression hors de danger is a fixed locution that serves a vital role in both daily communication and formal reporting. Translating literally to 'outside of danger,' it is the primary way to express that someone or something is no longer threatened by harm, illness, or a precarious situation. While it is frequently associated with medical contexts—specifically when a doctor confirms a patient has stabilized—its utility extends far beyond the hospital walls. It encompasses physical safety after a natural disaster, financial stability after a crisis, and even metaphorical relief after a difficult period in one's life. Understanding this phrase requires recognizing its binary nature: it marks the transition from a state of peril to a state of security.

Medical Context: Used by healthcare professionals to indicate that a patient's life-threatening symptoms have subsided. It does not mean the patient is fully healed, but rather that the immediate risk of death has passed.

Après l'opération chirurgicale complexe, les médecins ont enfin annoncé que le patient était hors de danger.

In everyday conversation, the phrase carries a weight of relief. It is often preceded by verbs like 'être' (to be), 'mettre' (to put/place), or 'se sentir' (to feel). When you 'mettre quelqu'un hors de danger,' you are taking active steps to protect them. This nuance is crucial for B1 learners because it distinguishes between a passive state of being safe and the active process of ensuring safety. For instance, in a thriller novel or a news report about a fire, the firefighters work to 'mettre les résidents hors de danger.' The preposition 'hors' (outside/out) is the key linguistic anchor here, suggesting a physical or metaphorical boundary that has been crossed from a dangerous zone into a safe one.

Environmental Safety: Commonly used during floods, storms, or forest fires to describe areas that are no longer in the path of destruction.

Une fois la digue consolidée, le village entier a été déclaré hors de danger.

Furthermore, the expression can be used for inanimate objects or abstract concepts. A rare manuscript might be 'hors de danger' once it is placed in a climate-controlled vault. A company might be 'hors de danger' after securing a massive loan that prevents bankruptcy. This versatility is what makes it a CEFR B1 staple; it allows speakers to describe safety across various domains—physical, financial, and emotional—with a single, sophisticated phrase. It provides a more precise alternative to the simpler 'en sécurité' (in safety), as 'hors de danger' specifically implies that a threat previously existed but has now been neutralized or escaped.

Abstract Stability: Refers to a situation where the worst-case scenario is no longer a possibility, such as a political regime surviving a coup.

Using hors de danger correctly involves understanding its syntactic role as an adjectival phrase. It typically follows a linking verb, most commonly 'être' (to be). Because it is a prepositional phrase functioning as an adjective, it does not change its form based on gender or number. Whether you are talking about one man, ten women, or a whole city, the phrase remains 'hors de danger.' This is a relief for learners who are often bogged down by French agreement rules. However, the complexity lies in the verbs that precede it and the subtle shifts in meaning they create.

With the Verb 'Être': This is the most common usage, describing a current state of safety. It answers the question 'How is the subject?'

Les randonneurs égarés sont maintenant hors de danger grâce à l'intervention des secours.

When you use 'mettre' (to put), the phrase takes on an active, transitive meaning. This is essential for describing rescue efforts or preventative measures. You 'mettez' something or someone 'hors de danger.' In this structure, the object being saved sits between the verb and the phrase. For example, 'Le pompier a mis l'enfant hors de danger.' Here, the child is the object being moved into safety. This construction is vital for storytelling and reporting, as it highlights the agency of the person providing the help. It’s not just that the child is safe; someone actively made them safe.

With the Verb 'Mettre': Used to describe the action of rescuing or securing someone or something. It implies a transition from a dangerous state to a safe one.

Nous devons mettre ces documents confidentiels hors de danger avant que l'eau n'atteigne le bureau.

Another interesting usage is with 'se croire' (to believe oneself to be). This adds a psychological layer, often used to describe a false sense of security. 'Il se croyait hors de danger, mais l'ennemi le suivait toujours.' This highlights the difference between actual safety and the perception of safety. For B1 learners, mastering these variations allows for much more nuanced expression. You can talk about the reality of a situation versus how someone feels about it. Furthermore, in formal writing, you might see 'considérer comme hors de danger,' which adds a layer of professional judgment, often used in medical or legal reports to indicate an official assessment of safety.

With 'Se Croire' / 'Se Sentir': Describes the internal state or belief of the subject regarding their safety, which may or may not reflect reality.

The phrase hors de danger is a staple of French media and professional discourse. If you tune into a French news channel like BFMTV or France 24, you will almost certainly hear it during the 'faits divers' (news snippets) or reports on accidents. It is the standard vocabulary for journalists reporting on the aftermath of a car crash, a building fire, or a natural disaster. In these contexts, it provides a quick, definitive update on the status of victims. Its frequency in news media makes it an essential term for anyone hoping to follow current events in the Francophone world.

In Television News: Journalists use it to give concise updates on survivors of major incidents, providing immediate relief to the viewing public.

Le présentateur a confirmé que, bien que blessées, toutes les victimes de l'explosion sont désormais hors de danger.

Beyond the news, you will frequently encounter this phrase in hospital dramas and literature. In a medical setting, the moment a doctor steps out of the operating room and says 'Il est hors de danger,' it serves as the emotional climax of the scene. It is a phrase that carries immense emotional weight, signaling the end of a period of intense anxiety. In novels, particularly in the thriller or adventure genres, 'hors de danger' is used to mark the end of a chase or the arrival at a safe haven. It acts as a narrative punctuation mark, telling the reader that the characters can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

In Cinema and Drama: A critical line of dialogue in medical soaps and action movies to resolve tension regarding a character's survival.

Dans le film, le héros s'assure que sa famille est hors de danger avant de retourner affronter le méchant.

In more formal or administrative contexts, such as insurance claims or workplace safety reports, 'hors de danger' is used to describe the status of assets or personnel. A safety inspector might declare a site 'hors de danger' after a gas leak has been repaired. Here, the phrase loses its emotional weight but gains technical precision. It signifies that the environment has returned to a state of compliance with safety standards. For a learner, hearing this phrase in various contexts—from the high-stakes drama of a news report to the dry tone of a safety inspection—demonstrates its broad utility and the importance of context in interpreting the level of relief it implies.

In Professional Reports: Used to certify that a previously hazardous location is now safe for re-entry or continued operation.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using hors de danger is omitting the preposition 'de.' In English, we say 'out of danger,' but in French, the 'de' is mandatory to link 'hors' to the noun 'danger.' Students often say 'Il est hors danger,' which, while understandable, sounds incomplete and grammatically incorrect in standard French. This mistake usually stems from trying to translate the concept of 'safe' directly as a single word, whereas French often uses these multi-word prepositional phrases to convey the same meaning.

The Missing 'De': Incorrect: *Il est hors danger. Correct: Il est hors de danger. The 'de' is the bridge that makes the expression functional.

Ne dites pas : 'L'enfant est hors danger'. Dites : 'L'enfant est hors de danger'.

Another common pitfall is confusing 'hors' with 'dehors.' While both relate to the concept of being 'outside,' 'dehors' is an adverb that usually refers to being outdoors or outside a physical building (e.g., 'Je vais dehors'). 'Hors,' on the other hand, is a preposition used in abstract or fixed expressions like 'hors de danger,' 'hors de prix' (overpriced), or 'hors de question' (out of the question). Using 'dehors de danger' is a major error that signals a lack of understanding of French prepositions. Learners should memorize 'hors de' as a single unit to avoid this confusion.

Agreement Errors: Incorrect: *Elles sont hors de dangers. Correct: Elles sont hors de danger. The noun 'danger' remains singular in this fixed expression.

A third mistake involves plurality. Some learners mistakenly add an 's' to 'danger' when referring to multiple people, thinking that since there are multiple people, there must be multiple dangers. However, 'hors de danger' is a fixed idiom where 'danger' represents the abstract concept of peril, which remains singular. Similarly, learners sometimes try to make 'hors' agree with the subject, adding an 'e' or 's,' but as a preposition, 'hors' is always invariable. Keeping the phrase exactly as it is—three words, no changes—is the key to grammatical accuracy.

Confusion with 'En Sécurité': While similar, 'en sécurité' means you are currently safe, whereas 'hors de danger' implies you were recently in peril but have now escaped it.

To truly master French, you need to know when to use hors de danger and when a synonym might be more appropriate. The most common alternative is en sécurité. While they are often interchangeable, en sécurité is broader. It describes a general state of safety (e.g., 'Je me sens en sécurité chez moi'). In contrast, hors de danger specifically highlights that a threat has been averted. It is more dramatic and situational. If you just arrived home, you are 'en sécurité'; if you just escaped a burning building, you are 'hors de danger.'

En Sécurité vs. Hors de Danger: 'En sécurité' is a general state. 'Hors de danger' implies a previous risk was present and has been overcome.

Après l'avalanche, nous étions enfin hors de danger, mais nous ne nous sentions pas encore totalement en sécurité.

In medical or business contexts, you might hear the idiomatic expression tiré d'affaire. This is a very common synonym that means 'out of the woods' or 'settled.' It is slightly more informal than 'hors de danger' but very frequent in spoken French. It suggests that a complicated 'affaire' (problem or situation) has been resolved. For example, a company that was nearly bankrupt but just received a subsidy is 'tirée d'affaire.' This expression is excellent for B1 learners to add to their repertoire as it sounds very natural and 'native-like' in conversation.

Sauf / Sauve: Meaning 'safe,' this adjective is often paired with 'sain' (healthy). Unlike 'hors de danger,' it agrees in gender and number (e.g., 'Elle est sauve').

Another useful comparison is with à l'abri. This means 'under shelter' or 'protected from.' It is often followed by 'de' and a specific threat (e.g., 'à l'abri du vent'—sheltered from the wind). While 'hors de danger' means the danger is gone, 'à l'abri' means you are currently protected from a danger that might still be present nearby. For example, if it's raining, you are 'à l'abri de la pluie' under an umbrella, but the rain hasn't stopped. Understanding these distinctions helps you choose the word that captures the exact relationship between the subject and the threat.

À l'abri (de): Focuses on the protection provided by a physical or metaphorical barrier, rather than the total absence of danger.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In the 12th century, 'danger' meant the power of a lord. If you were 'in someone's danger,' you were in their power. Being 'hors de danger' meant you were free from their control!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɔʁ də dɑ̃.ʒe/

US /ɔɹ də dɑn.ʒe/

The stress falls on the final syllable 'ger'.

Rhymes With

manger changer étranger passer léger ranger nager venger

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 's' in 'hors'. It must be silent.
Pronouncing the 'r' in 'danger' like an English 'r'.
Pronouncing 'danger' as 'dan-jer' (English style) instead of nasal 'dan' + 'ger'.
Making 'de' sound like 'dee' instead of 'duh'.
Forgetting the nasal sound in 'dan'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize because 'danger' is an English cognate.

Writing 3/5

Learners often forget the 'de' or try to make it agree.

Speaking 3/5

Requires correct nasal pronunciation of 'danger' and silent 's' in 'hors'.

Listening 2/5

Clear and distinct in news and movies.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

danger hors de être mettre

Learn Next

tiré d'affaire sain et sauf en péril le pronostic vital secourir

Advanced

convalescence rémission immunisé invulnérable indemne

Grammar to Know

Fixed Prepositional Phrases

Hors de danger, hors de prix, hors de question.

Invariability of Prepositions

Hors never becomes 'hors-e' or 'hors-es'.

Nasal Vowels

The 'an' in danger is a nasal vowel /ɑ̃/.

Silent Final Consonants

The 's' in 'hors' and 'r' in 'danger' (in 'er' endings) are silent.

Direct Object with 'Mettre'

Mettre [quelqu'un] hors de danger.

Examples by Level

Le chat est hors de danger.

The cat is out of danger.

Simple subject + être + hors de danger.

Je suis hors de danger maintenant.

I am out of danger now.

First person singular usage.

Est-ce qu'il est hors de danger ?

Is he out of danger?

Inversion for a question.

Nous sommes hors de danger ici.

We are out of danger here.

Plural subject, phrase remains singular.

Maman est hors de danger.

Mom is out of danger.

Feminine subject, phrase remains unchanged.

Tout le monde est hors de danger.

Everyone is out of danger.

'Tout le monde' is singular in French.

Le bébé est hors de danger.

The baby is out of danger.

Standard usage.

Ils ne sont pas hors de danger.

They are not out of danger.

Negation with 'ne...pas'.

Après la tempête, le village est hors de danger.

After the storm, the village is out of danger.

Time phrase + subject + state.

Les médecins disent qu'elle est hors de danger.

The doctors say she is out of danger.

Indirect speech using 'que'.

Il faut mettre les animaux hors de danger.

We must put the animals out of danger.

Using 'mettre' to show action.

Enfin, nous nous sentons hors de danger.

Finally, we feel out of danger.

Using 'se sentir' for emotional state.

La voiture est hors de danger sur le parking.

The car is out of danger in the parking lot.

Inanimate subject.

Est-ce que ta famille est hors de danger ?

Is your family out of danger?

Possessive adjective 'ta'.

Le chien a mis ses petits hors de danger.

The dog put her puppies out of danger.

Verb 'mettre' with an object.

Vous serez bientôt hors de danger.

You will soon be out of danger.

Future tense of 'être'.

Le blessé est considéré comme hors de danger par l'équipe médicale.

The injured person is considered out of danger by the medical team.

Passive-style construction with 'considéré comme'.

Mettez vos économies hors de danger en ouvrant un compte sûr.

Put your savings out of danger by opening a secure account.

Imperative mood for advice.

Malgré l'incendie, les archives sont hors de danger.

Despite the fire, the archives are out of danger.

Using 'malgré' (despite).

Il est trop tôt pour dire s'il est hors de danger.

It is too early to say if he is out of danger.

Infinitive clause 'pour dire'.

Les autorités ont mis la population hors de danger avant l'ouragan.

The authorities put the population out of danger before the hurricane.

Passé composé with 'mettre'.

Dès que nous serons hors de danger, nous appellerons.

As soon as we are out of danger, we will call.

Future tense in a temporal clause.

La situation est grave, mais le patient est hors de danger.

The situation is serious, but the patient is out of danger.

Contrast using 'mais'.

Elle a réussi à mettre son entreprise hors de danger.

She managed to put her company out of danger.

Verb 'réussir à'.

Le gouvernement affirme que l'économie nationale est désormais hors de danger.

The government claims that the national economy is now out of danger.

Formal reporting verb 'affirmer'.

Il ne faut pas se croire hors de danger trop rapidement.

One must not believe oneself out of danger too quickly.

Pronominal verb 'se croire'.

Les espèces protégées sont encore loin d'être hors de danger.

Protected species are still far from being out of danger.

Expression 'loin d'être'.

L'intervention chirurgicale a permis de le mettre définitivement hors de danger.

The surgery allowed him to be put definitively out of danger.

Adverb 'définitivement' modifying the state.

Une fois ce cap franchi, nous serons hors de danger.

Once this milestone is passed, we will be out of danger.

Participle clause 'Une fois ce cap franchi'.

Bien que l'alerte soit levée, restez vigilants jusqu'à être hors de danger.

Although the alert is lifted, stay vigilant until you are out of danger.

Subjunctive after 'bien que'.

Ce nouveau traité met la région hors de danger de conflit.

This new treaty puts the region out of danger of conflict.

Abstract usage of 'danger de [noun]'.

Il est impératif de mettre ces données hors de danger de piratage.

It is imperative to put this data out of danger of hacking.

Impersonal construction 'Il est impératif de'.

L'écosystème local ne pourra être considéré comme hors de danger qu'après une décennie de restauration.

The local ecosystem can only be considered out of danger after a decade of restoration.

Restrictive 'ne...que' construction.

Le diplomate a œuvré pour mettre les ressortissants hors de danger avant la fermeture des frontières.

The diplomat worked to put the nationals out of danger before the borders closed.

Formal verb 'œuvrer'.

Il est illusoire de se penser hors de danger dans un monde si instable.

It is illusory to think oneself out of danger in such an unstable world.

Philosophical usage.

La banque centrale a pris des mesures drastiques pour mettre le système financier hors de danger.

The central bank took drastic measures to put the financial system out of danger.

Collocation 'mesures drastiques'.

Sa réputation, bien qu'entachée, semble désormais hors de danger grâce à ce témoignage.

His reputation, though tarnished, seems now out of danger thanks to this testimony.

Metaphorical safety of reputation.

On ne saurait affirmer avec certitude que la zone est hors de danger.

One cannot state with certainty that the zone is out of danger.

Literary 'ne saurait' for 'cannot'.

Le patient a frôlé la mort, mais les soins intensifs l'ont mis hors de danger.

The patient came close to death, but intensive care put him out of danger.

Idiom 'frôler la mort'.

Tant que le coupable court toujours, personne n'est réellement hors de danger.

As long as the culprit is still at large, no one is really out of danger.

Temporal conjunction 'tant que'.

L'équilibre précaire de la biodiversité ne permet guère de déclarer ces habitats hors de danger.

The precarious balance of biodiversity hardly allows declaring these habitats out of danger.

Formal negation 'ne...guère'.

Parvenir à mettre l'humanité hors de danger face aux risques existentiels est le défi du siècle.

Succeeding in putting humanity out of danger in the face of existential risks is the challenge of the century.

Infinitive as subject.

Quoiqu'il se croie hors de danger, l'ombre du scandale plane toujours sur sa carrière.

Although he believes himself out of danger, the shadow of scandal still looms over his career.

Concessive 'quoique' + subjunctive.

L'architecte s'est assuré que la structure du bâtiment était hors de danger d'effondrement.

The architect ensured that the building's structure was out of danger of collapse.

Noun complement 'd'effondrement'.

Rien ne garantit que les marchés soient définitivement hors de danger de volatilité.

Nothing guarantees that the markets are definitively out of danger of volatility.

Subjunctive after 'Rien ne garantit que'.

Mettre son âme hors de danger des tentations mondaines était son unique quête.

Putting his soul out of danger from worldly temptations was his sole quest.

Spiritual/Literary context.

Le verdict a enfin mis l'accusé hors de danger d'une condamnation injuste.

The verdict finally put the accused out of danger of an unjust conviction.

Legal context.

Il convient de ne pas se reposer sur ses lauriers tant que le projet n'est pas hors de danger.

One should not rest on one's laurels as long as the project is not out of danger.

Idiom 'se reposer sur ses lauriers'.

Synonyms

en sécurité tiré d'affaire sain et sauf à l'abri sauve épargné hors de péril stabilisé

Antonyms

en danger en péril exposé menacé

Common Collocations

être hors de danger

mettre hors de danger

se croire hors de danger

déclarer hors de danger

considérer comme hors de danger

se sentir hors de danger

enfin hors de danger

pas encore hors de danger

totalement hors de danger

définitivement hors de danger

Common Phrases

Le pire est passé.

— The worst is over. Often used right before saying someone is hors de danger.

Le pire est passé, il est hors de danger.

Tirer quelqu'un d'affaire.

— To get someone out of a mess or danger.

Son avocat l'a tiré d'affaire.

Être en lieu sûr.

— To be in a safe place.

Ne t'inquiète pas, il est en lieu sûr et hors de danger.

Sauver la mise.

— To save someone's skin or save the day.

Tu m'as sauvé la mise, je suis hors de danger maintenant.

Prendre le large.

— To escape or head out to sea (metaphorically escaping danger).

Ils ont pris le large pour être hors de danger.

Échapper belle.

— To have a narrow escape.

Il l'a échappé belle, il est hors de danger.

Reprendre son souffle.

— To catch one's breath (after a danger has passed).

On peut enfin reprendre notre souffle, nous sommes hors de danger.

Baisser la garde.

— To let one's guard down.

Ne baisse pas ta garde tant que tu n'es pas hors de danger.

Un ouf de soulagement.

— A sigh of relief.

Tout le monde a poussé un ouf de soulagement quand il a été déclaré hors de danger.

Passer entre les mailles du filet.

— To slip through the cracks (escape danger/capture).

Il est passé entre les mailles du filet et est hors de danger.

Often Confused With

hors de danger vs dehors

Means 'outside' (physical location), not 'out of' (abstract state).

hors de danger vs hors de prix

Means 'extremely expensive', not 'safe'.

hors de danger vs en danger

The opposite; means 'at risk'.

Idioms & Expressions

"Être tiré d'affaire"

— To be out of a difficult situation or health crisis.

Le malade est enfin tiré d'affaire.

informal

"Sortir de l'auberge"

— Usually used negatively ('ne pas être sorti de l'auberge') to mean not out of the woods yet.

On n'est pas encore sortis de l'auberge !

idiomatic

"Sauver les meubles"

— To save what can be saved (metaphorical safety of assets).

L'entreprise a fait faillite, mais on a sauvé les meubles.

informal

"Être à l'abri du besoin"

— To be financially safe/secure.

Avec cet héritage, elle est à l'abri du besoin.

neutral

"Avoir la vie sauve"

— To have one's life spared.

Il a eu la vie sauve grâce à son gilet pare-balles.

formal

"Se mettre au vert"

— To go into hiding or go to the countryside to be safe/quiet.

Il s'est mis au vert pour être hors de danger.

informal

"Brûler ses vaisseaux"

— To burn one's bridges (making it impossible to return to 'danger' or safety).

Il a brûlé ses vaisseaux pour avancer.

literary

"Sauve qui peut !"

— Every man for himself! (The opposite of being hors de danger).

C'est la panique, sauve qui peut !

neutral

"Être dans de beaux draps"

— To be in a fine mess (the opposite state).

S'il nous trouve, on sera dans de beaux draps.

informal

"Le jeu en vaut la chandelle"

— The game is worth the candle (worth the risk to get hors de danger).

C'est risqué, mais le jeu en vaut la chandelle.

neutral

Easily Confused

hors de danger vs Dehors

Both mean 'outside' in some way.

'Dehors' is an adverb for physical location outdoors. 'Hors' is a preposition for fixed expressions and boundaries.

Il joue dehors (He plays outside) vs. Il est hors de danger (He is out of danger).

hors de danger vs En sécurité

Both mean 'safe'.

'En sécurité' is a general state of safety. 'Hors de danger' implies escaping a specific threat.

Je suis en sécurité chez moi vs. Après l'accident, il est hors de danger.

hors de danger vs Sauf

Both relate to safety.

'Sauf' is an adjective meaning 'unharmed'. 'Hors de danger' is a phrase describing the end of a threat.

Il est revenu sauf vs. Il est hors de danger à l'hôpital.

hors de danger vs À l'abri

Both mean protection.

'À l'abri' focuses on the shelter/protection provided. 'Hors de danger' focuses on the absence of threat.

À l'abri de la pluie vs. Hors de danger après l'orage.

hors de danger vs Tiré d'affaire

Both mean out of a bad situation.

'Tiré d'affaire' is more colloquial and can refer to any problem (legal, financial, health).

Il a gagné son procès, il est tiré d'affaire.

Sentence Patterns

Sujet + être + hors de danger.

Il est hors de danger.

Sujet + être + maintenant + hors de danger.

Elle est maintenant hors de danger.

Mettre + quelqu'un + hors de danger.

Il a mis son frère hors de danger.

Se sentir + hors de danger.

Nous nous sentons hors de danger ici.

Considérer + comme + hors de danger.

Le blessé est considéré comme hors de danger.

Il est trop tôt pour être + hors de danger.

Il est trop tôt pour être hors de danger.

Ne... que + une fois + hors de danger.

On ne parlera qu'une fois hors de danger.

Loin d'être + hors de danger.

La situation est loin d'être hors de danger.

Word Family

Nouns

danger

dangerosité

Verbs

dangerer (archaic)

endommager

Adjectives

dangereux

dangereuse

péril

risque

sécurité

sauvetage

protection

How to Use It

frequency

Highly frequent in news, medical contexts, and storytelling.

Common Mistakes

Il est hors danger. → Il est hors de danger.
Missing the required preposition 'de'.
Ils sont hors de dangers. → Ils sont hors de danger.
Pluralizing 'danger' in a fixed singular expression.
Il est dehors de danger. → Il est hors de danger.
Using 'dehors' (adverb) instead of 'hors' (preposition).
Elle est hors de dangé. → Elle est hors de danger.
Spelling mistake: 'danger' ends with 'er', not 'é'.
Je me sens hors danger. → Je me sens hors de danger.
Again, missing the 'de' with a different verb.

Tips

The 'De' Rule

Always include 'de'. Think of it as 'Out OF danger'. Without the 'of', the bridge is broken.

Silent S

Never pronounce the 's' in 'hors'. If you do, it sounds like 'ours' (bear) or 'os' (bone), which is confusing.

Medical Context

Use this when a doctor gives good news. It's the most common and natural place for the phrase.

Fixed Phrase

Don't change 'danger' to plural. It's an abstract noun in this context.

News Style

If you want to sound like a French journalist, use 'considéré comme hors de danger'.

Outside the Box

Imagine the 'danger' is a box. You are 'hors' (outside) 'de' (of) the box.

Listen for the 'R'

The French 'r' in 'hors' and 'danger' is soft and in the throat. Don't make it too hard.

Transitive Use

Practice 'mettre [object] hors de danger'. It's a great way to improve your sentence structure.

Emotional Weight

Recognize that this phrase brings a lot of relief. Use it when the danger was real and scary.

Vs Tiré d'affaire

Use 'tiré d'affaire' when talking to friends about problems, and 'hors de danger' for more serious safety issues.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Horse' (Hors) jumping 'Over' a 'Danger' sign. It is now 'Hors de danger'.

Visual Association

Imagine a person stepping out of a red circle labeled 'DANGER' into a green circle. The 'de' is the step they take.

Word Web

Sauf Sécurité Médecin Hôpital Secours Risque Péril Sortie

Challenge

Try to use 'hors de danger' in three different contexts: a medical one, a financial one, and a physical one (like a storm).

Word Origin

The word 'hors' comes from the Old French 'fors', derived from the Latin 'foris' meaning 'outside'. 'Danger' comes from the Old French 'dangier', which originally meant 'power' or 'jurisdiction' (from Latin 'dominarium').

Original meaning: Being 'outside the power' or 'outside the jurisdiction' of something that could harm you.

Romance (Latin roots).

Cultural Context

Always use with empathy. In medical contexts, wait for professional confirmation before telling someone their loved one is 'hors de danger'.

Directly equivalent to 'out of danger' or 'out of the woods'.

Commonly heard in French hospital dramas like 'H' or 'Nina'. Used in news reports following major events like the Notre-Dame fire. Found in the lyrics of French songs dealing with survival and resilience.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Hospital/Medical

Le patient est stable.
Il est hors de danger.
Le pronostic vital n'est plus engagé.
Il va s'en sortir.

Natural Disasters

La zone est évacuée.
Les habitants sont hors de danger.
L'alerte est levée.
Tout est sous contrôle.

Finance/Business

L'entreprise évite la faillite.
Nous sommes hors de danger financier.
Le budget est équilibré.
La crise est passée.

Personal Safety

Je suis rentré chez moi.
Je suis hors de danger.
Ne t'inquiète pas pour moi.
Tout va bien.

Literature/Movies

Le héros s'échappe.
Il met la princesse hors de danger.
Ils sont sauvés.
La menace est écartée.

Conversation Starters

"Est-ce que tu penses que l'économie est enfin hors de danger ?"

"Comment as-tu réussi à mettre ton projet hors de danger ?"

"As-tu déjà aidé quelqu'un à se mettre hors de danger ?"

"Quand te sens-tu vraiment hors de danger dans une grande ville ?"

"Est-ce que le patient dans ce film est enfin hors de danger ?"

Journal Prompts

Décrivez une situation où vous vous êtes senti hors de danger après un moment de stress.

Pensez-vous qu'une espèce animale peut être totalement hors de danger aujourd'hui ?

Écrivez une courte histoire sur un sauveteur qui met quelqu'un hors de danger.

Comment définiriez-vous le sentiment d'être hors de danger ?

Quelles mesures prendriez-vous pour mettre vos biens les plus précieux hors de danger ?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In formal French, no. You must say 'hors de danger'. In very informal, fast speech, you might hear the 'de' swallowed, but it's not grammatically correct.

No, it remains singular. 'Ils sont hors de danger'. The concept of danger is abstract here.

'Hors de danger' implies you were just in a dangerous situation and now you aren't. 'En sécurité' is a more general feeling of being safe.

It can be used for both! You can put your money, your car, or even a country 'hors de danger'.

No. The 's' is silent. It sounds like 'or' in English.

It's usually reserved for more serious threats. Using it for keys might sound a bit dramatic or sarcastic.

The verb 'être' (to be) is by far the most common.

Use the verb 'mettre': 'mettre quelqu'un hors de danger'.

Yes, it's a standard phrase in French journalism for reporting on accidents and health.

Yes, it's considered B1 because it's a fixed expression that requires understanding prepositions and context beyond basic A1/A2 vocabulary.