means A state of danger, risk, or peril — the possibility that something will go badly wrong.

from From the Old French 'jeu parti,' literally 'a divided game' — meaning an even chess match or contest where the outcome hangs in the balance, with neither side sure to win. That uncertain, hanging-in-the-balance feeling slid into English by the 14th century and darkened from 'a close game' into 'real danger.' The legal phrase 'double jeopardy' keeps the old game-stakes flavor alive.