Out On A Limb

Pronunciation: /aʊt ɒn ə lɪm/

Definitions of out on a limb

noun a projecting branch of a tree

Example Sentences

A1 I feel like I am out on a limb with this new project.

A2 She was out on a limb when she decided to quit her job without a backup plan.

B1 The team felt out on a limb without their leader to guide them.

B2 The company was out on a limb financially after the market crash.

C1 The politician found himself out on a limb after his controversial statement.

C2 The scientist was out on a limb with his groundbreaking theory, but it eventually proved to be true.

preposition indicating location or position on a tree

Example Sentences

A1 The cat climbed out on a limb to catch a bird.

A2 I felt like I was out on a limb when I didn't know anyone at the party.

B1 She went out on a limb and tried a new hobby.

B2 The company is out on a limb with their new marketing strategy.

C1 The politician went out on a limb by taking a controversial stance on the issue.

C2 The scientist was out on a limb with her groundbreaking theory, but it turned out to be correct.

Examples of out on a limb in a Sentence

formal The CEO felt like she was out on a limb when making the decision to invest in the new technology.

informal I really went out on a limb when I decided to quit my job without having another one lined up.

slang I was totally out on a limb when I asked my crush to prom.

figurative The team was out on a limb without their star player, struggling to keep up with the competition.

Grammatical Forms of out on a limb

• past tense: was out on a limb
• plural: out on limbs
• comparative: more out on a limb
• superlative: most out on a limb
• present tense: is out on a limb
• future tense: will be out on a limb
• perfect tense: has been out on a limb
• continuous tense: is being out on a limb
• singular: out on a limb
• positive degree: out on a limb
• infinitive: to be out on a limb
• gerund: being out on a limb
• participle: out on a limb

Origin and Evolution of out on a limb

First Known Use: 1873 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The origin of the phrase 'out on a limb' is believed to come from the literal act of climbing a tree and being stranded on a limb that is not strong enough to support the weight of the climber.

Evolution of the word: The phrase has retained its original meaning of being in a risky or vulnerable position, but has also been used metaphorically to describe situations where someone is in a difficult or precarious position with little support or backup.