stick one’s neck out, to 🦒
To take a bold risk; to ask for trouble. This early twentieth-century Americanism most likely comes from the barnyard, where a chicken extends its neck in preparation for slaughter (by decapitation). Raymond Chandler used it in The Black Mask (1936): “You sure stick your neck out all the time.”
Synonyms and Similar Phrases 🌟
- Go out on a limb
- Take the plunge
- Dare to dream
- Put oneself on the line
- Take a leap of faith
- Don’t be a chicken 🐔 (see the irony?)
- Throw caution to the wind
Antonyms 😌
- Play it safe
- Hedge one’s bets
- Tread carefully
- Stay in one’s comfort zone
Quotes and Proverbs 📜
“Great things never came from comfort zones.” — Anonymous
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” — Walt Disney
Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies 🎬📚🎶
Books:
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
- Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
Movies:
- Dead Poets Society (Seize the day, folks! 🚀)
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (Talk about literal leaps of faith!)
Songs:
- Dare You To Move by Switchfoot
- Brave by Sara Bareilles
Poems:
- “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost (it’s all about choices and daring to be different)
### Which of these is a real idiom?
- [x] Stick one’s neck out
- [ ] Dance with your shadow
- [ ] Whisper to the moon
- [ ] Juggle the stars
> **Explanation:** "Stick one’s neck out" is a commonly known idiom meaning to take a bold risk. The others are fanciful but don't quite hit the mark.
### Which phrase is synonymous with 'stick one’s neck out'?
- [ ] Wear your heart on your sleeve
- [ ] Fall off the wagon
- [x] Go out on a limb
- [ ] Hit the sack
> **Explanation:** "Go out on a limb" means to take a risk, much like sticking one’s neck out. The other options don't convey the same idea.
### True or False: 'Falling off the wagon' is another way to say 'stick one’s neck out'
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** 'Falling off the wagon' means to return to a bad habit or addiction, not to take a risk.
### Which author used "You sure stick your neck out all the time" in their writing?
- [ ] Ernest Hemingway
- [ ] Jane Austen
- [x] Raymond Chandler
- [ ] Agatha Christie
> **Explanation:** The phrase was used by Raymond Chandler in The Black Mask, 1936.
### True or False: Risk-takers often throw caution to the wind
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** Risk-takers 'throw caution to the wind' when they decide to proceed despite potential dangers.
May your courage and boldness lead you to breathtaking adventures and unforgettable experiences. Remember, greatness often requires a stretch beyond comfort. 🚀
Sincerely, Audrey Boldworth
