wing and prayer
Barely scraping by
To be on a wing and a prayer is to proceed with little chance of success, relying more on hope than preparation or resources.
The phrase comes from a World War II song about a damaged aircraft struggling to return to base: We came in on a wing and a prayer.
Now used for any precarious situation where luck matters more than planning: The startup was operating on a wing and a prayer.
- precariousnessState of uncertain stability
- hopeDesire for good outcomes
- fingers crossedGesture wishing for luck
- riskPossibility of harm
- against all oddsDespite extreme improbability
odds · flight · last-ditch · last resort · leap of faith · faith · chance · gamble · vulnerability · miracle · determination · wartime · wartime spirit · unpredictability · optimism · danger · trust · daring
wing and prayerby the book
Following established procedures exactly
systematic · well-planned · scientific method · clockwork · belt and suspenders
wing and prayerby the book
Following established procedures exactly
evidence-based · data-driven · strategic planning · belt and suspenders · leave nothing to chance
wing, prayer, wings, winged, winging, wingless, wingspan, prayers, prayed