CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does clear and present danger mean? 

• CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER (noun)
  The noun CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER has 1 sense:

1. a standard for judging when freedom of speech can be abridged

  Familiarity information: CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A standard for judging when freedom of speech can be abridged

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Context example:

no one has a right to shout 'fire' in a crowded theater when there is no fire because such an action would pose a clear and present danger to public safety

Hypernyms ("clear and present danger" is a kind of...):

danger (the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury)