This explanation from here tells it all:
Meaning ‘unharmed, free from injury,’ this phrase was first recorded in Middle English around the beginning of the 14th century C.E. It dates to a time when the secondary definition of sound — ‘whole, not damaged or injured’ — was more commonly used. (It is this definition that gives us the expression of sound body and mind, which is still used today.) With this older meaning in mind, the phrase is actually very straightforward. In ancient or modern times, it was always a good thing to return to your loved ones with all of your body parts still attached and functional.
Sound is still used in the sense conveyed in this passage, but it is largely limited to this phrase. However, this definition remains on MW:
free from flaw, defect, or decay
If you want to go further in depth, this Wiktionary article describes the transition process much more:
From Middle English sound, sund, isund, ȝesund, from Old English sund, ġesund (“sound, safe, whole, uninjured, healthy, prosperous”), from Proto-Germanic *gasundaz, *sundaz (“healthy”), from Proto-Indo-European *sunt-, *swent- (“vigorous, active, healthy”). Cognate with Scots sound, soun (“healthy, sound”), Saterland Frisian suund, gesuund (“healthy”), West Frisian sûn (“healthy”), Dutch gezond (“healthy, sound”), Low German sund, gesund (“healthy”), German gesund (“healthy, sound”), Danish sund (“healthy”), Swedish sund (“sound, healthy”), Irish fétaid (“to be able”). Related also to Dutch gezwind (“fast, quick”), German geschwind (“fast, quick”), Old English swīþ (“strong, mighty, powerful, active, severe, violent”). See swith.
The following Ngram also shows that usage really jumped in the eighteenth century (if you’re interested in prevalance):
Don’t fear: you can still clearly use the archaic form of sound and be understood.
Hope I could help.
I could lift you up
I could show you what you want to see
And take you where you want to be
You could be my luck
Even if the sky is falling down
I know that we’ll be safe and sound
I could fill your cup
You know my river won’t evaporate
This world we still appreciate
You could be my luck
Even in a hurricane of frowns
I know that we’ll be safe and sound
I could show you love
In a tidal wave of mystery
You’ll still be standing next to me
You could be my luck
Even if we’re six feet underground
I know that we’ll be safe and sound
Целые и невредимые
Я мог бы вдохновить тебя,
Я показал бы тебе то, что ты хочешь увидеть,
И доставить туда, где ты хочешь побывать.
Ты могла бы быть моей удачей.
Даже если небо упадёт на землю,
Я знаю, что мы будем целыми и невредимыми.
Я мог бы наполнить твою чашу,
Ты знаешь, что моя река не пересохнет.
Мы все еще ценим этот мир.
Ты могла бы быть моей удачей.
Даже посреди урагана хмурости,
Я знаю, что мы будем целыми и невредимыми.
Я мог бы показать свою любовь тебе.
В приливе таинственности
Ты все еще будешь рядом со мной.
Ты могла бы быть моей удачей.
Даже в шести футах под землей,
Я знаю, что мы будем целыми и невредимыми.
I’m sure you have come across common phrases throughout reading articles and conversing. And while we understand the meaning, we might not be aware of their origin. I’m sure you know the saying, ‘safe and sound.’ But, do you know where it came from or how it became so?
What Does ‘Safe And Sound’ Mean?
‘Safe and sound’ means that someone is unharmed, free from injury, and out of danger. It simply means that one is healthy and is free from any threats that may harm the person. ‘Safe and sound’ came from old meanings of the words, but we still use this phrase today.
Most people usually use this phrase when a person in danger escapes the threats free of injury or damage. It also refers to a state or place of safety and healthy wellbeing. For example, ‘We arrived at our destination, safe and sound’ expresses that we arrived free from danger, threat, or injury.
What Is The Origin Of ‘Safe And Sound’?
‘Safe and sound’ is an old saying that goes way back to the 14th century. Following the old English definitions of ‘safe’ and ‘sound,’ they used the phrase to express that someone was free of danger or injury. Notable people like William Shakespeare also used this phrase in his works.
According to the Google Ngram Viewer, the phrase reached a peak in the early 1600s, but the origin and the creation go way back to the 14th century. Despite having a long history, we can also see in the graph how we still use this phrase in today’s time.
To expound more on the origin of the phrase, let’s look at the etymology of each word. ‘Safe’ came from the Latin word ‘salvus’ and the Old French word ‘sauf,’ which means uninjured. Then, ‘sound’ was first used around the year 1150. It means being in good condition, whole, undamaged, and free from injury. It came from the Old English word ‘gesund’ and the proto-Germanic word, ‘Sunda.’
This meaning of sound is also the source of the phrase ‘sound body and mind,’ meaning peaceful, healthy, and fully functional. We also use ‘sound body and mind’ in law to determine that a person is mentally and physically well and has no illnesses. Though we use it today to express feelings of safety, wellbeing, and protection, ancient people used it more to say they still have fully functional, complete body parts.
William Shakespeare
An example of ‘safe and sound’ being used in previous centuries is in 1594, William Shakespeare’s ‘The Comedy of Errors,’ Act 4, Scene 4 stating:
‘Fetch our stuff from thence: I long that we were safe and sound aboard.’
In Shakespeare’s written line, ‘safe and sound’ can be interpreted by the same meaning that the persona hopes they board safely, harmlessly, and in good shape.
Throughout history, despite the length, nothing much has changed about the phrase ‘safe and sound.’ We still use and understand it the way ancient people used and understood it before. Combining the meaning of the two words, ‘safe and sound’ means being in good condition that’s free from harm, damage, and injury.
Examples Of How To Use ‘Safe And Sound’ In A Sentence
Here are some examples of ‘safe and sound’ in a sentence.
- I hope your family stays safe and sound during this time.
- Did you arrive at the beach safe and sound?
- Especially with the things happening near your district, I’m glad to see you safe and sound.
- Let’s remain safe and sound despite any possible danger.
- The home is where we are most safe and sound.
- She reached home safe and sound.
- I hope evacuees remain safe and sound.
- I’ll wait for you to arrive home safe and sound.
- Please return my car safe and sound.
- We need to ensure that our orders are safe and sound.
In the sentences above, we used ‘safe and sound’ to pertain to the condition of the subjects being free from danger, harm, or injury.
‘Safe And Sound’ – Synonyms
Here are some synonymous words and phrases that you can use to replace ‘safe and sound.’
- protected
- healthy
- unharmed
- guarded
- uninjured
- free from damage
- in good shape
- healthy wellbeing
- undamaged
- unhurt
- free from threats and hazards
- completely well
- unaffected
- in fine feather
- in fine fettle
Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.
I could lift you up
Я мог бы воодушевить тебя,
I could show you what you want to see
Я мог бы показать тебе то, что ты хочешь увидеть,
And take you where you want to be
И сводить туда, где ты хочешь побывать.
You could be my luck
Ты могла бы быть моей удачей.
Even if the sky is falling down
Даже если небо обрушится на землю,
I know that we’ll be safe and sound
Я знаю, что мы будем целыми и невредимыми.
I could fill your cup
Я мог бы наполнить твою чашу,
You know my river won’t evaporate
Ты знаешь, что моя река не пересохнет.
This world we still appreciate
Мы все еще ценим этот мир.
You could be my luck
Ты могла бы быть моей удачей.
Even in a hurricane of frowns
Даже посреди хмурого урагана,
I know that we’ll be safe and sound
Я знаю, что мы будем целыми и невредимыми.
I could show you love
Я мог бы проявить свою любовь к тебе.
In a tidal wave of mystery
В приливной волне таинственности
You’ll still be standing next to me
Ты все еще будешь рядом со мной.
You could be my luck
Ты могла бы быть моей удачей.
Even if we’re six feet underground
Даже в шести футах под землей,
I know that we’ll be safe and sound
Я знаю, что мы будем целыми и невредимыми.
safe and sound
Safe from danger and free from injury or harm. Hi Mom, I just wanted to let you know that I arrived in Paris safe and sound. I won’t be able to relax during this storm until I know that the kids are both safe and sound.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
safe and sound
unharmed and whole or healthy. It was a rough trip, but we got there safe and sound. I’m glad to see you here safe and sound.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
safe and sound
Out of danger and unharmed, as in It was a challenging climb, so I’m relieved they got home safe and sound. [c. 1300]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ˌsafe and ˈsound
safe; not hurt or harmed: Fortunately, the police found the missing children safe and sound.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
safe and sound
Out of danger and unharmed. This alliterative description dates from at least 1300, when it appeared in a Middle English treatise, Cursor Mundi, by an unknown author, and has been repeated ever since. Shakespeare (A Comedy of Errors) and Byron (Don Juan) are among the many poets undeterred by its sound, which must have been hackneyed by 1600.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
- (as) safe as houses
- safe as houses
- safe travels
- safe
- have a safe journey
- have a safe trip
- yegg
- a safe bet
- killing pace
- killing pace, a