throw things at the wall and see what sticks
To experiment in a haphazard or random manner with the hope that some amount of success may be achieved.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“We throw things at the wall and see what sticks to find ideas.”
“You throw things at the wall and see what sticks to solve the problem.”
“The marketing team decided to throw things at the wall and see what sticks since they had no clear strategy for the new product.”
“Instead of following a recipe, I just throw things at the wall and see what sticks by adding different spices to the soup.”
“The coach told the players to throw things at the wall and see what sticks until they find a way to score a goal.”
“Rather than conducting thorough market research, the startup preferred to throw things at the wall and see what sticks, hoping that one of their many experimental campaigns would eventually gain traction.”
Derived from the proverb throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick. The construction describes a strategy of speculative volume over precision, assuming that a sufficient quantity of attempts will eventually yield a single successful result.
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ain't what it used to was
Is not what it used to be; (expressing nostalgia).
- 02
all things considered
Generally speaking; in terms of the big picture.
- 03
all things to all people
Someone or something that entirely satisfies the expectations of everyone, no matter how diverse and conflicting those expectations may be.
- 04
back to the wall
A very difficult situation with no beneficial options available for action.
- 05
balls to the wall
With maximum effort or commitment.
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bang one's head against a brick wall
To waste effort on a futile project.
- 07
beat off with a stick
To reject (a person making an unwanted amorous approach).
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beat with the ugly stick
Used to describe someone who is particularly ugly or unattractive.
Last updated August 10, 2026