go out on a limb
The phrase "go out on a limb" originates from the imagery of climbing onto a tree branch, symbolizing taking a risk or putting oneself in a precarious position.
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Definition
B2General
(informal, idiomatic)To take a risk or do something that might not be successful.
Example
- She decided to go out on a limb and propose a new strategy to the team.
B2General
(informal, idiomatic)To express an opinion or make a statement that is unconventional or lacks support.
Example
- I'll go out on a limb and say that this new policy will not be effective.
B2General
(informal, idiomatic)To put oneself in a vulnerable or exposed position by taking a bold action.
Example
- By defending her controversial views, she really went out on a limb.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "go out on a limb":
take a flyerbranch outbet the farmtake the plungestep outlay on the linetake a stab atgo for brokeswing for the fencesgo outgo overboardtempt fatejump the gunput one's money where one's mouth isoff the deep end