out on a limb

Idioms  

1. 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]

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Example Sentences

“I’m going to go out on a limb and say that we got more laughs than all those films combined.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

Coaches have had to put themselves out on a limb.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 25, 2025

“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

In addition cowriting, Lopez goes out on a limb and takes the role of what can rightly be called “Me,” a husband-hunter jailed in such metaphorical music-video scenarios as “glass house” and “love factory.”

From New York Times • Feb. 22, 2024

They’d gone out on a limb for us.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam