clear and present danger

noun | clear and pres·ent dan·ger

1. : a risk or threat to safety or other public interests that is serious and imminent; especially : one that justifies limitation of a right (as freedom of speech or press) by the legislative or executive branch of government a clear and present danger of harm to others or himself — see also freedom of speech, Schenck v. United States : one that justifies limitation of a right (as freedom of speech or press) by the legislative or executive branch of government a clear and present danger of harm to others or himself — see also freedom of speech, Schenck v. United States