Synonyms

out on a limb

Idioms

In a difficult, awkward, or vulnerable position, as in I lodged a complaint about low salaries, but the people who had supported me left me out on a limb. This expression alludes to an animal climbing out on the limb of a tree and then being afraid or unable to retreat. [Late 1800s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In any case, I’m going to go out on a limb and say it: Sir Ian has got talent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Better to have politicians and experts who study the pressing issues of the day and go out on a limb rather than shrug their shoulders.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 10, 2025

“I’m going to go out on a limb here and say based on how much he’s complaining about conditions in the courtroom, he would hate jail.”

From New York Times • May 7, 2024

“I’m not going out on a limb to say they had Black friends in their homes,” she says.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 12, 2024

“I’m going out on a limb here, so you know what that means,” the captain said.

From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023