jeopardy

Etymology

From Middle English jupartie, jeopardie (“even chance”), from Old French jeu parti (“a divided game, i.e. an even game, an even chance”), from Medieval Latin iocus partītus (“an even chance, an alternative”), from Latin iocus (“jest, play, game”) + partītus, perfect passive participle of partiō (“divide”); see joke and party.

noun

1. Danger of failure, harm, or loss.
   The poor condition of the vehicle put its occupants in constant jeopardy.
   It seemed to me I could do something in that vein with my characters: the ticking clock, dire jeopardy, quick changes of fortune, small acts having huge consequences. 2006, Paul Chadwick, Concrete: Killer Smile, Introduction, p.4
   When Obinna was red carded shortly after for a ridiculous kick on Larsson it seemed as though West Ham's hopes of reaching Wembley, and in turn Grant's of keeping his job, lay in serious jeopardy. 11 January 2011, Jonathan Stevenson, “West Ham 2 – 1 Birmingham”, in BBC Sport

verb

1. (transitive, archaic) To jeopardize; to endanger.