# swing for the fences

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/swing-for-the-fences
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To do something extremely ambitious, especially rashly.

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.