limb
An arm or a leg of a person or animal.
A movable part of the body such as an arm or a leg, especially in humans and four‑legged animals.
A big branch that grows from the main part of a tree.
A large or main branch of a tree that grows out from the trunk.
The outside line you see around the sun, moon, or a planet when you look at it in the sky.
The curved outer edge of the visible disk of the sun, moon, or a planet as seen in the sky.
A child who behaves badly or causes trouble, said in a joking or slightly angry way.
A mischievous or badly behaved child, used humorously or with mild disapproval.
- Base: limb
- Plural: limbs
go out on a limb
1Take a risk with an opinion
To say or do something that is risky because you might be wrong or other people might not agree.
- I’m going to go out on a limb and say they’ll win the championship this year.
- She went out on a limb to support the new policy before anyone else did.
- The analyst went out on a limb by predicting a sharp fall in prices.
life and limb
1A person’s life and physical safety
A person’s life and body, especially when talking about the danger of serious harm.
- They worked in unsafe conditions that threatened their life and limb.
- Laws are meant to protect the public’s life and limb.
- He was willing to risk his life and limb for the mission.
out on a limb
1In a risky, unsupported position
In a situation where you have little support from other people and you might lose or be wrong.
- With that comment, he’s really out on a limb at work.
- Her theory left her out on a limb until new data appeared.
- The decision put the manager out on a limb with the board.
risk life and limb
1Put life and body in danger
To do something that is very dangerous and could seriously hurt or even kill you.
- Firefighters risk life and limb every day.
- He risked life and limb to save the child from the river.
- Journalists often risk life and limb reporting from war zones.
tear [someone] limb from limb
1Attack or punish very violently
To attack someone in a very violent way, or to punish them very strongly; often used in a joking or exaggerated way.
- If he hurts my family, I’ll tear him limb from limb.
- The fans were so angry they looked ready to tear the referee limb from limb.
- She joked that her boss would tear her limb from limb if the report was late.