Meaning & use
on a limb
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrasefigurative
In a risky or unsupported position, especially after making a claim or taking a stand that others may not back.
Grammar: Most often used after 'go out' or 'be out': go out on a limb for someone; be out on a limb.
Patterns
- go out on a limb
- be out on a limb
- go out on a limb for someone
The manager went out on a limb to hire me when no one else would.
After the election results, the pundit was left out on a limb with no one supporting his prediction.
She went out on a limb and recommended the risky investment.
phrasefixed phrasefigurative
In a situation where you are separated from the main group or lack support.
Grammar: Often used with 'leave' or 'be left': leave someone out on a limb.
Patterns
- leave someone out on a limb
- be left out on a limb
The other departments agreed with the plan, leaving our team out on a limb.
He felt out on a limb after his only ally resigned.
Common combinations
- go out on a limb
- I'll go out on a limb and say the movie will win an award.
- be out on a limb
- Without evidence, his theory is out on a limb.
- leave someone out on a limb
- The board's silence left the CEO out on a limb.
Synonyms and how they differ
- take a risk
- This is a general verb phrase; 'go out on a limb' is more figurative and suggests public vulnerability.
- stick your neck out
- Very close in meaning; 'stick your neck out' emphasizes personal courage, while 'on a limb' emphasizes lack of support.
Opposites
Commonly confused: on a limb or out on a limb?
on a limb vs out on a limb
This is the same idiom with 'out' added; both are correct, but 'out on a limb' is more idiomatic in American English.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'on a limb' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The idiom 'go out on a limb' means to take a risk. Options 0 and 2 use 'limb' literally (a tree branch), and option 3 is not a natural English phrase.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “on a limb”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.