Safe and sound

Idiomatic Phrase
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Completely unharmed, secure, and free from danger; emphasizes both physical safety and mental peace, suggesting successful navigation through risk without injury or loss.

Detailed Definition
Safe and sound means unharmed, secure, and restored to a place of safety after danger, absence, or uncertainty. In poetry, the idiom can carry deep emotional relief, especially after journeys, storms, illness, war, childhood fears, or anxious waiting. Its alliteration gives it a reassuring music, often associated with home, protection, and reunion. A poet may use it sincerely for comfort, or ironically if outward safety conceals inner damage. The phrase is useful for exploring the difference between survival and wholeness.
Example
Example in poetry:
A ballad might end with the lost child safe and sound by the hearth; In a storm poem, the ships return safe and sound beneath the morning gulls; The phrase means unharmed and secure; A poet can use it for relief after danger.
Additional Notes
Safe and sound means unharmed, secure, and complete after danger or absence. The pairing of physical safety with soundness gives the phrase a reassuring fullness. In poetry, it can be used after journeys, storms, childhood adventures, war, illness, or rescue. Students should notice its lullaby-like quality and conventional comfort. It may be sincere, ironic, or painfully insufficient if survival has left invisible wounds.
Also Known As
unharmed
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