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Antonyms for out on limb


Grammar : Adj, adv, noun
Spell : lim
Phonetic Transcription : lɪm



Definition of out on limb

Origin :
  • "part or member," Old English lim "limb, joint, main branch of a tree," from Proto-Germanic *limu- (cf. Old Norse limr "limb," lim "small branch of a tree"), a variant of *liþu- (cf. Old English liþ, Old Frisian lith, Old Norse liðr, Gothic liþus "a limb;" and with prefix ga-, source of German Glied "limb, member"), from PIE root *lei- "to bend, be movable, be nimble." The parasitic -b began to appear late 1500s for no etymological reason (perhaps by influence of limb (n.2)). In Old and Middle English, and until lately in dialects, it could mean "any visible body part."
  • The lymmes of generacion were shewed manyfestly. [Caxton, "The subtyl historyes and fables of Esope, Auyan, Alfonce, and Poge," 1484]
  • Hence, limb-lifter "fornicator" (1570s). To go out on a limb in figurative sense "enter a risky situation" is from 1897. Life and limb in reference to the body inclusively is from c.1200.
  • As in precarious : adj tricky, doubtful
  • As in risky : adj dangerous
  • As in susceptible : adj exposed, naive
  • As in unprotected : adj defenseless
  • As in vulnerable : adj open to attack
  • As in behind the eight ball : adj in a jam
  • As in pregnable : adj vulnerable
  • As in vincible : adj vulnerable
  • As in daring : adj adventurous
  • As in defenseless : adj powerless, vulnerable
  • As in foolhardy : adj impetuous, rash
  • As in out on a limb : adv in trouble
  • As in jeopardy : noun danger, trouble

Synonyms for out on limb

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019