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Definitions

on a limb

ADJECTIVE
unsafe
Synonyms
STRONGEST
hazardous perilous risky treacherous uncertain unreliable unsound unstable untrustworthy
STRONG
insecure
WEAK
alarming chancy erratic explosive fearsome hanging by a thread on thin ice precarious shaky slippery threatening ticklish touch and go touchy undependable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
certain honest reliable safe secure stable strong sure true trustworthy
WEAK
harmless protected

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Publishing a forecast that differs significantly from competitors’ amounts to throwing your weight behind a strong trading recommendation, so many economists hesitate to go out on a limb.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

I don’t think I would have been cast in this movie if I didn’t make music, if I didn’t go out on a limb and make an album.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2025

I may go out even further on a limb.

From Slate • Sep. 12, 2024

“I’m not going out on a limb to say they had Black friends in their homes,” she says.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 12, 2024

At the crack of the gun, he ran far out on a limb and jumped.

From "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls