# run with scissors

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/run-with-scissors
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To behave recklessly.

## Examples

- Don't run with scissors by quitting your job without a plan.
- Investing all your savings into a single risky stock is like running with scissors.
- By ignoring the safety warnings and proceeding with the volatile experiment, the lead researcher was essentially running with scissors in a high-stakes environment.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.