swing for the fences
Attempt the maximum
Swing for the fences is to attempt something ambitious or go all-out, from baseball where swinging for the fences means trying to hit a home run rather than just make contact.
The phrase implies accepting higher risk of failure for the chance at a bigger payoff: Don't play it safe—swing for the fences.
Full-circuit scoring hit
- grand slamWinning every trick
- sluggerPowerful baseball batter
- power hitterBatter who hits far
- cleanup hitterFourth-spot power batter
batter · fastball · curveball · strikeout · walk-off · pinch hitter · big league · dugout
Act with maximum ambition
- all-inFully committed, nothing held back
- bold moveAudacious action with risk
- high stakesSignificant potential for loss
- calculated riskHazard taken deliberately
reach for the stars · shoot for the moon · dream big · audacious · daring · fearless · nothing to lose · long shot
Firmness of purpose
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- ambitionDesire for achievement
drive · gumption · boldness · initiative · go-getter · striving · endeavor · commitment
home run
Full-circuit scoring hit
- grand slamWinning every trick
- sluggerPowerful baseball batter
- power hitterBatter who hits far
cleanup hitter · batter · fastball · curveball · strikeout · walk-off · pinch hitter · big league · dugout · diamond
go big
Act with maximum ambition
- all-inFully committed, nothing held back
- bold moveAudacious action with risk
- high stakesSignificant potential for loss
calculated risk · reach for the stars · shoot for the moon · dream big · audacious · daring · fearless · nothing to lose · long shot · gamble
determination
Firmness of purpose
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
ambition · drive · gumption · boldness · initiative · go-getter · striving · endeavor · commitment · dedication
- sports idiomsdrop the ball, throw in the towel, slam dunk, out of left field, level playing field
- baseballbaseball, bat, pitchers, catchers, pitcher
- risk phrasestake a chance, take a gamble, risk it all, go for broke, roll the dice
swing for the fencesplay it safe
Avoid unnecessary chances
hedge your bets · err on the side of caution · cover your bases · leave nothing to chance · risk-averse
swing for the fencessettle for less
go through the motions · coast · phone it in · inch forward · underachieve
swing for the fencesproceed with caution
Continue while staying vigilant
sleep on it · hold back · color inside the lines · wait and see
swing, swings, swinging, swinger, swingers, fence, fences, fenced, fencing