took a flyer
Made risky bet
To take a flyer is to take a chance on something uncertain or risky, especially a speculative investment or venture: I took a flyer on that startup and lost everything, She took a flyer on the long shot in the fifth race.
The phrase suggests accepting the possibility of failure for a potential payoff.
Also spelled took a flier.
- leap of faithTrust without verification
- roll the diceAccept uncertain outcome
- dareChallenge to act boldly
- leapSudden springing movement
- throw cautionAbandon careful consideration
venture · go for broke · experiment · attempt · hazard · bet · stake · shot in the dark · outside chance · odds · wager · punt · wild card · guess · gamble · dice · lottery · conjecture
risk-taking behavior
took a flyerplayed it safe
Acted to minimize risk
hedged one's bets · erred on the side of caution · kept one's powder dry · stood pat · held back
deliberation and planning
took a flyerslept on it