Take a gamble
Meaning
To take a risk in the hope of achieving a desirable outcome.
Origin
The word 'gamble' spun off from the more general term 'game' in the 16th century, specifically to denote playing games of chance for stakes. As organized forms of betting flourished, from backroom card games to bustling public gaming houses, the act of placing a bet became a deliberate, calculated risk. To 'take a gamble' literally meant to step up and lay down money, accepting the unpredictable nature of luck. This direct description of engaging in a game of chance quickly escaped the confines of the card table, becoming a universal metaphor for any bold decision where the outcome is uncertain but the potential rewards are enticingly high, mirroring the thrill and suspense of a high-stakes wager.
Examples
- She decided to take a gamble and invest all her savings in the startup, hoping it would pay off big.
- Leaving his stable job to start his own business meant he had to take a gamble, but he believed in his vision.