Idiom
go out on a limb
Meanings
To take a risk by expressing an uncertain or unpopular opinion or making a bold judgment.
Definition
To go out on a limb means to take a risk by stating an opinion or making a decision without being sure others will support it.
If you go out on a limb, you do or say something that involves risk, especially because you might be wrong or you might not get support from others. It often means giving an opinion that is unpopular or uncertain. People use it to show they realize they are taking a chance.
Examples
- I’m going to go out on a limb and say the project will finish early.
- She went out on a limb by recommending an unknown candidate.
- Don’t go out on a limb unless you have some evidence to back it up.
- He went out on a limb and admitted the plan might fail.
- I’ll go out on a limb and guess they forgot the meeting.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idiom (verb phrase)s
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- drop the ball To drop the ball means to make a mistake or fail to do something important that you were responsibl…
- have a chinwag To have a chinwag means to have a friendly, informal chat with someone.
- face the music To accept and deal with the unpleasant consequences of your actions or a difficult situation.