out on a limb

O o

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [out on, awn ey lim]
- /aʊt ɒn, ɔn eɪ lɪm/
- /ˈaʊt ɒn ə lɪm/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [out on, awn ey lim]
- /aʊt ɒn, ɔn eɪ lɪm/

Definitions of out on a limb words

noun out on a limb a part or member of an animal body distinct from the head and trunk, as a leg, arm, or wing: the lower limbs; artificial limbs. 1
noun out on a limb a large or main branch of a tree. 1
noun out on a limb a projecting part or member: the four limbs of a cross. 1
noun out on a limb a person or thing regarded as a part, member, branch, offshoot, or scion of something: a limb of the central committee. 1
noun out on a limb Archery. the upper or lower part of a bow. 1
noun out on a limb Informal. a mischievous child, imp, or young scamp. 1

See all 12 definitions of out on a limb

Information block about the term

Origin of out on a limb

First appearance:

before 900

One of the 4% oldest English words

before 900; Middle English, Old English lim; akin to Old Norse lim foliage, limr limb, līmi rod, Latin līmus aslant, līmen threshold

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Out on a limb

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Out on a limb

out on a limb popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 97% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

out on a limb usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for out on a limb

adj out on a limb

behind the eight ball — in a difficult situation; snookered
go for broke — a simple past tense of break.
gutty — Informal. showing spirit; plucky; gutsy: a gutty attempt to kick a field goal.
hot shot — incandescent shot fired to set enemy ships or buildings on fire.
impugnable — to challenge as false (another's statements, motives, etc.); cast doubt upon.

noun out on a limb

double-trouble — a very troublesome thing or person.
jeopardy — hazard or risk of or exposure to loss, harm, death, or injury: For a moment his life was in jeopardy.

adverb out on a limb

chancy — Something that is chancy involves a lot of risk or uncertainty.
dangerous — If something is dangerous, it is able or likely to hurt or harm you.
exposed — Make (something) visible, typically by uncovering it.
liable — legally responsible: You are liable for the damage caused by your action.
open — not closed or barred at the time, as a doorway by a door, a window by a sash, or a gateway by a gate: to leave the windows open at night.

adjective out on a limb

nonresistant — not able, conditioned, or constructed to withstand the effect of something, as a disease, a specific change in temperature, or harsh treatment; susceptible to damage or ill effects.

All 17 Synonyms of out on a limb