shoot the moon
Attempt the impossible
Shoot the moon means to attempt something extremely ambitious or risky, going for the maximum possible outcome rather than playing it safe.
In the card game Hearts, it specifically means capturing all penalty cards in a single hand—a bold gambit that either dramatically rewards or punishes the player.
The phrase extends to any all-or-nothing strategy: They decided to shoot the moon and bid on both properties.
Strong desire for achievement
- striveMake sustained effort
- reachExtend to touch
- aim highSeek ambitious goals
- dream bigAspire to greatness
overreach · pie in the sky · moonshot · lofty · grand · stretch goal · reach for the stars · blue sky thinking
Forceful impact or closure
- run the tableWin everything consecutively
- queen of spadesHighest-ranking female spade
- trick-takingWinning dealt card rounds
- penalty pointsSanctions counted against you
aspiration
Strong desire for achievement
dream big · overreach · pie in the sky · moonshot · lofty · grand · stretch goal · reach for the stars · blue sky thinking
slam
Forceful impact or closure
- run the tableWin everything consecutively
- queen of spadesHighest-ranking female spade
- trick-takingWinning dealt card rounds
risk
Possibility of harm
all-or-nothing · longshot · high-stakes · audacious · reckless · wager · bet · chance · gambit · hail mary
- heartsheart shape, heart icon, heart emoji, red heart, heart symbol
- bridge bidsbid, pass, double, redouble, opening bid
shoot the moonplay it safe
Avoid unnecessary chances
hedge your bets · err on the side of caution · settle for less · proceed with caution
shoot the moonsatisfice
Accept adequate over optimal
settle · scale back · coast · phone it in
shoot, moon, shoots, shooting, shot, shooter, shooters, moons, mooned