out on a limb
Risking it alone
Out on a limb means in a vulnerable or risky position, exposed to criticism or failure.
The image is of someone who has climbed a tree and crawled far out on a branch—isolated, with no easy retreat.
I'm going out on a limb here, but I think she's lying.
To leave someone out on a limb is to abandon them after they've taken a risk on your behalf.
- audacityBrazen, reckless daring
- hanging by a threadNearly failing or ending
- daringAdventurous courage
- high wire actElevated cable performance
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
boldness · gamble · risky business · up a tree · unsupported · on shaky ground · exposure · vulnerable · assertion · uncertainty · recklessness · individuality · lone wolf · choice · stance · autonomy · self-reliance · flying solo
- Risk-Takingplaying with fire, rolling the dice, taking chances, living on the edge, going for broke
- Precariousnessprecarious, unstable, teetering, tottering, wobbly
- predicamentspredicament, dilemma, bind, pickle, pinch
- risk phrasestake a chance, take a gamble, risk it all, go for broke, roll the dice
out on a limbplaying it safe
Avoiding unnecessary risk
on solid ground · hedging one's bets · erring on the side of caution · safe and sound · risk-free
out on a limbbacked up
Reversed or copied
well-founded · in good company · supported · corroborated · substantiated
out on a limbtoeing the line
Adhering to expectations
conventional · playing along · conformist · orthodox · keeping one's head down
outside, limb, out, outer, outing, limbs, outsider, limber, outs