Risky business
Meaning
An activity or venture that involves a significant chance of danger, failure, or loss, often implying a degree of adventurousness or questionable ethics.
Origin
The phrase "risky business" didn't magically appear overnight, but rather solidified its place in the common lexicon thanks to a cultural phenomenon. While the words themselves had been paired to describe uncertain ventures for centuries, it was the iconic 1983 film Risky Business that etched the phrase into the public consciousness. This coming-of-age movie, starring a young Tom Cruise, depicted a teenager's audacious scheme involving a brothel to save his parents' home, making the phrase synonymous not just with financial peril, but also with ventures that are morally grey or legally precarious. The film’s runaway success and memorable scenes ensured that "risky business" became a punchy, recognized shorthand for any high-stakes endeavor, particularly those with a hint of rebelliousness or danger, where one knowingly flirts with disaster for a potentially great reward.
Examples
- Investing heavily in an untested startup can be risky business, but the potential returns are enormous if it succeeds.
- Dating someone from work is often risky business, especially if the relationship eventually sours and creates an awkward office environment.