Swing for the fences
verb
Try very hard to achieve something difficult.
Despite the challenges, he decided to swing for the fences and start his own business.
Often appears as...
- decide to swing for the fences
- really swing for the fences
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
verb
In baseball, to hit the ball with maximum power, trying to earn a home run.
The batter is going to swing for the fences with this next pitch.
Often appears as...
- batter swings for the fences
- swing for the fences pitch
Usage tips
Technical
verb
Try very hard to achieve something difficult.
Despite the challenges, he decided to swing for the fences and start his own business.
Often appears as...
- decide to swing for the fences
- really swing for the fences
Usage tips
Informal
Idiomatic
verb
In baseball, to hit the ball with maximum power, trying to earn a home run.
The batter is going to swing for the fences with this next pitch.
Often appears as...
- batter swings for the fences
- swing for the fences pitch
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Ambitious Efforts
Used when someone is attempting something with great determination and effort.
He's swinging for the fences to get that scholarship.
Pro Tip 2/3Big Risks
Implies taking significant risks to achieve a goal, often with an all-or-nothing approach.
She's swinging for the fences by investing all her savings into the new venture.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
Even though it originates from baseball, it's often used in non-sporting contexts to express striving for great success.
In his career, he always swings for the fences.
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