| Idiom | Out on a Limb |
|---|---|
| Example | The mayor went out on a limb when he opposed the new sports center. |
| Meaning | taking a chance; in a dangerous position from which it is hard to withdraw or change |
| Origin | This American saying dates from the late 1800s, when hunting animals in the woods was a more common activity than it is today. It probably referred to a hunted animal that climbed a tree and got itself stranded out on a limb where it could easily be shot. Later the idiom grew to describe any person who takes a risk that might lead to trouble. |
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