go out on a limb

G

go out on a limb

Meaning

• do or say something that is different from most other people
• get into a position where others do not support you
• take a wild guess
• get into a challenging or disadvantaged position to support someone
• get into a risky situation to help someone else

Example Sentences

1. During an analysis of the news, he went out on a limb and expressed an opinion opposite to that held by the general public.
2. He went out on a limb trying to support his colleague’s views and, in the process, earned the ire of his boss.
3. Considering the fact that almost everyone is against him getting that post, would you really go out on a limb and support his candidature?
4. True to his character, he went out on a limb and expressed views that were exactly opposite to what everyone else wanted.
5. I’m not going to go out on a limb every time and support you for your goof ups.

Origin

The phrase alludes to climbing trees and going out on a branch (limb) of it. There is a risk that the branch might break under the weight. It originated in America around the late 1800s. An early print reference can be found in the Steubenville Daily Herald in October 1895.

Tree