clear and present danger

Cultural  

1. The standard set by the Supreme Court for judging when freedom of speech may lawfully be limited. Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., illustrated the point by arguing that no one has a constitutional right to shout “Fire!” in a crowded theater when no fire is present, for such action would pose a “clear and present danger” to public safety. (See First Amendment (see also First Amendment).)

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Example Sentences

Unchecked technological advancement is no longer a distant threat to China but a clear and present danger, dispassionately gobbling up communities, jobs and Qiaoqiao’s and Bin’s dreams.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 20, 2025

But far bigger questions are now being asked about how Europe protects itself from what EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen calls a "clear and present danger".

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2025

But it is real — and it's a clear and present danger.

From Salon • Dec. 10, 2023

If there is a symbol of Ukrainian insouciance in the face of clear and present danger, it might just be this city.

From New York Times • Jul. 3, 2023

Back to the clear and present danger: Oscar.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson