# throw things at the wall and see what sticks

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/throw-things-at-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To experiment in a haphazard or random manner with the hope that some amount of success may be achieved.

## Examples

- 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.

## Origin

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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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.