A shot in the dark

Meaning

The idiom "a shot in the dark" means taking a risk or making an attempt without any certainty of success, especially when there are no other viable options available. It is often used to describe a situation where one is making a guess or assuming something based on limited information or evidence.

Usage

• "I know it's a shot in the dark, but I think he's the right person for the job." - In this sentence, the speaker is taking a risk by assuming that someone is the right fit for a job based on limited information.
• "We had no idea who the winner was going to be until the very last minute. It was like a shot in the dark." - Here, the speaker is describing a situation where the outcome was uncertain until the very end.
• "Trying to predict the stock market is like trying to hit a target in the dark. It's impossible to know for sure." - In this sentence, the speaker is comparing the uncertainty of predicting the stock market to the difficulty of hitting a target in the dark.
• "The detective had no leads and was basically shooting in the dark when he made his arrest." - Here, the speaker is describing a situation where the detective had no evidence or information to make an accurate arrest, so he was taking a risk by making an assumption based on limited information.
• "Starting a new business is always a shot in the dark. You never know if it's going to be successful or not." - In this sentence, the speaker is describing the uncertainty and risk involved in starting a new business.

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom "a shot in the dark" can be traced back to the early 19th century. The earliest known use of the phrase was in 1827, when it appeared in a collection of stories called "Young Husband". However, the idiom's popularity did not increase until much later, and it was not until the mid-20th century that it became widely recognized and used in contemporary language. Over time, the meaning of the idiom has remained relatively consistent, but its usage has varied depending on the context. For example, in some cases, the idiom can be used to describe a situation where there are multiple options available, but one is taking a risk by choosing the least likely option. In other cases, it can be used to describe a situation where there are no viable options available, and one must take a risk by making an assumption based on limited information.

Synonyms in English

• "A gamble"
• "A chance"
• "A long shot"
• "A guess"
• "A stab in the dark"

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "Un coup de dés" (A throw of the dice)
• Spanish: "Una apuesta" (A bet)
• German: "Ein Lottoschuss" (A lottery shot)
• Italian: "Un lancio in tenebra" (A launch into darkness)
• Chinese: "一场猜想" (A guessing game)

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