at danger—(of a signal on a railway line, etc.): in the position giving a warning of danger:
- A signal is said to be “on,” when it is at danger.
in danger—at risk:
- The euphoria which accompanies altitude sickness robs the pilot of the opportunity of recognizing that he is in danger.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase on the danger list—(of a patient in the hospital) dangerously ill:
- Five patients on the danger list were slightly better, the hospital said.