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Vocabulary : Idioms : Plants : go out on a limb

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go out on a limb

Meaning: If you go out on a limb, you put yourself in a risky position in order to support someone or something.

For example:

  • He knew it could damage his career, but Keith went out on a limb and said he supported the anti-war protesters.

  • I don't think that saying you support gay rights means you're going out on a limb these days.

Origin: Probably metaphorical, from the fact that if you're climbing a tree and you go too far out on a limb, you're taking a risk because the limb could break and you could fall to the ground and hurt yourself.

Quick Quiz:

My sister said that I went out on a limb when I
  1. climbed high in the tree
  2. said murder was wrong
  3. said killing animals for food is murder

Discuss: go out on a limb

Idiom of the Day

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