Clear And Present Danger

clear and present danger

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: a risk or threat to safety or other public interests that is serious and imminent
;esp
: 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 in the Important Cases section amendment i to the Constitution in the back matter