swing for the fences
To do something extremely ambitious, especially rashly.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He decided to swing for the fences with his new business idea.”
“Instead of playing it safe with a small project, she chose to swing for the fences and apply for the most competitive grant.”
“Rather than settling for a modest, incremental improvement, the director chose to swing for the fences, risking the entire budget on a revolutionary new technology.”
- 01
fence in
To restrict freedom.
- 02
fence the tables
To make a solemn address to those who present themselves to commune at the Lord's Supper, on the feelings appropriate to the service, in order to hinder, so far as possible, those who are unworthy from approaching the table.
- 03
homely as a hedge fence
Having no physically attractive characteristics, but not blatantly ugly; very plain in appearance.
- 04
make a Virginia fence
To walk in a unstable manner due to being intoxicated.
- 05
mend fences
To repair damage to a friendship or relationship after a disagreement or other mishap.
- 06
mud fence
Something proverbially unattractive or ugly.
- 07
sit on the fence
To remain neutral on a certain topic, to not have a stance or opinion.
- 08
swing and a miss
A sincere but unsuccessful attempt.
Last updated August 10, 2026