Chance your arm
verb
To take a risk or try something without knowing what will happen.
She decided to chance her arm and invest in the stock market.
Often appears as...
- she decided to chance her arm
- he's chancing his arm
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To take a risk or try something without knowing what will happen.
She decided to chance her arm and invest in the stock market.
Often appears as...
- she decided to chance her arm
- he's chancing his arm
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Informal Usage
This phrase is informal, best used in casual conversations rather than formal situations.
I might just chance my arm and ask her out.
Pro Tip 2/3British Origin
It's a British phrase, so it's more common in the UK, understood and used less in other English-speaking countries.
When in London, I heard someone say they'd 'chance their arm' at the pub quiz.
Pro Tip 3/3Decision Point
Use it when someone decides to take an action despite uncertainty or risk.
He's going to chance his arm on the new business venture.
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