Meaning & use
danger money
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountableBritish
Extra pay given to someone for doing a job that involves unusual risk or danger.
Grammar: Uncountable: say 'danger money' or 'some danger money', not 'a danger money'.
Patterns
- get danger money
- pay someone danger money
- danger money for doing something
The workers demanded danger money for cleaning the damaged nuclear plant.
He earns danger money for testing experimental aircraft.
noununcountableBritishfigurative
Extra payment or benefit given for doing something unpleasant or risky in a non-physical sense.
Grammar: Used figuratively, often in informal or business contexts.
Patterns
- danger money for something
- be paid danger money
She calls her extra bonus 'danger money' for dealing with difficult clients.
There is no danger money for taking on the company's most stressful project.
Common combinations
- demand danger money
- The miners demanded danger money for working underground.
- earn danger money
- Journalists in war zones can earn danger money.
- danger money for doing something
- They offered danger money for handling the chemicals.
- no danger money
- There is no danger money for this job, despite the risks.
Synonyms and how they differ
- hazard pay
- The usual American term for the same idea; 'danger money' is the British equivalent.
- danger pay
- A common American variant, often used for military or overseas work.
- risk premium
- A more formal, financial term for extra payment for taking on risk; 'danger money' is more everyday and physical.
Word family
- danger noun
- The possibility of harm or injury.
- money noun
- Coins and notes used to buy things.
Commonly confused: danger money or hush money?
danger money vs hush money
Money paid to keep someone silent about a scandal; 'danger money' is paid for doing risky work.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'danger money' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Danger money' is uncountable, so it takes no article and no plural. Options with 'a', 'moneys', or 'the' before it are not standard.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “danger money”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.