Used to point out a possible danger, problem, or negative outcome that might result from a decision.
“The risk is if we wait too long, all the tickets could sell out.”
“The risk is the contractor might not finish before winter.”
This phrase often appears when one speaker cautions the other about a plan in Listening Part 1's problem-solving dialogues. It signals that a specific concern or possible complication is about to be named, which is often tested in comprehension questions. Compare it with 'the benefit is' to keep both sides of the discussion straight.
Synonyms: the danger is, what could go wrong is, the concern is