went out on a limb
Took a chance
Went out on a limb means took a risk by saying or doing something that could invite criticism or failure.
The image is of climbing a tree branch that might break—the farther out you go, the more precarious your position: She went out on a limb and predicted he'd win the nomination.
Often appears with qualifiers: I'll go out on a limb here.
- gambledRisked something on chance
- rolled the diceAccepted uncertain outcome
- riskedExposed to danger
- venturedUndertook despite uncertainty
- leap of faithTrust without verification
took a risk · took the plunge · dared · intrepidity · speculated · bet the farm · championing · boldness · courage · hazarded · audacity · chutzpah · chanced · bravery · nerve · pluck · precariousness · risking
went out on a limbplayed it safe
Acted to minimize risk
hedged one's bets · erred on the side of caution · kept one's head down · followed the crowd · went with the flow
went out on a limbsat on the fence
Remained undecided between options
hedged · equivocated · waffled · kept one's options open · punted
went out on a limbfollowed the crowd
Acted like everyone else
toed the line · went along to get along · played along · conformed · kept quiet
went, outermost, outward, outwardly, outing, outings, limb, limbs, limbed