swings for the fences
Goes all out
Swings for the fences means to attempt something ambitious or go all-out, risking failure for a big payoff.
From baseball, where swinging for the fences—trying to hit a home run—means sacrificing contact for power.
The director swings for the fences with this three-hour epic.
Sometimes you just have to swing for the fences.
- home runFull-circuit scoring hit
- strikeoutBatter retired on pitches
- leap of faithTrust without verification
- boldnessFearless readiness to act
- achievementAccomplished goal or deed
no guts no glory · triumph · gamble · risk it all · grand slam · hail mary · shoot the moon · all-in · audacity · high stakes · determination · go for it · batter · moonshot · inspiration · setback · daring · aim high
swings for the fenceshedges one's bets
Protects against total loss
errs on the side of caution · risk-averse · cautious · bunts · prudent
swings for the fencescoasts
Edges of continents
treads water · underachieves · mails it in · incremental · modest
swings for the fencesholds back
Restrains or delays
stays in one's lane · bides one's time · runs out the clock · defensive · tentative
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