ENGLISH
REFERENCE

out on a limb

idiom
Meaning

In a risky, precarious, daring, or uncompromising position, especially one outside of the mainstream; vulnerable.


Origin

disputed origin

In reference to the risks of climbing out on the branch or limb of a tree.

Examples
SIMPLE

He went out on a limb to support my new idea.

CONTEXTUAL

She went out on a limb by criticizing the company policy in front of the entire board of directors.

COMPLEX

By challenging the established consensus of his peers, the researcher went out on a limb, risking his professional reputation for the sake of his controversial discovery.

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