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).)

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

clear and present danger

“The update to economic projections also underscored that the clear and present danger for the Fed’s dual mandate is rising inflation risks,” they add. 10-year JGB yield rises 2.5 bps to 2.625%.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026

Tunbridge Wells MP Mike Martin shared his view that this report "confirms that South East Water poses a clear and present danger to public health".

From BBC ● May 1, 2026

Waze, on the other hand, is a clear and present danger to every pedestrian, equestrian, simian and median on the planet.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 27, 2023

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

From Salon ● Dec. 10, 2023

Back to the clear and present danger: Oscar.

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