venture
Related to venture: dictionary
at a venture
At random; in an arbitrary manner. They'll choose a winner at a venture, so we all have the same chance of getting picked.
See also: venture
nothing ventured, nothing gained
proverb Risks must be taken in order to achieve anything significant or meaningful. A: "I'm thinking of asking my bosses for a raise, but I'm a little bit nervous." B: "Hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained." It was a bit of a shot in the dark taking a job in a different country, but nothing ventured, nothing gained!
See also: gain, nothing
venture forth
1. To move forward, especially in a courageous but cautious or wary manner. The explorers ventured forth, hoping to find the remains of the ancient civilization in the dense jungle. Before we venture forth, I suggest we all check that we have adequate supplies.
2. To proceed with some action or undertaking despite potential obstacles or dangers. Now that you have completed your degrees, you are all ready to venture forth into the world and truly begin the rest of your lives!
See also: forth, venture
venture into (some place)
To move forward into some place, especially in a courageous but cautious or wary manner. The explorers ventured into the dense jungle, hoping to find the remains of the ancient civilization they had read about. No way am I venturing into some pitch-black cave—who knows what might be lurking in there!
See also: venture
venture on (someone or something)
To discover or encounter someone or something unexpectedly or by chance. We ventured on a charming little restaurant as we cycled through the countryside. The two boys ventured on a man claiming to have magical beans for sale.
See also: on, venture
venture out
1. To proceed bravely out into some unknown or dangerous place. The group of explorers is getting ready to venture out into the wilds of Antarctica. It was nearly midnight by the time we arrived at our hotel, so we had to wait until the next morning to venture out and explore Tokyo.
2. To exit through (some passageway), especially in a cautious or wary manner. The sirens may have stopped blaring, but I wasn't about to venture out my door just yet. We weren't allowed to venture out the gate of the military compound unless we were accompanied by armed guards.
See also: out, venture
venture out of (some place)
To leave some place bravely, warily, or cautiously, as due to potential dangers, risks, or uncertainties. The sirens may have stopped blaring, but I wasn't about to venture out of my house until I knew for sure it was safe. We weren't allowed to venture out of the military compound unless we were accompanied by armed guards. What's the point of traveling all the way to Tokyo if you're not going to even venture out of the hotel?
See also: of, out, venture
venture upon (someone or something)
To discover or encounter someone or something unexpectedly or by chance. We ventured upon a charming little restaurant as we cycled through the countryside. The two boys ventured upon a man claiming to have magical beans for sale.
See also: upon, venture
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
If you do not take risks, you will never accomplish anything. Bill: Should I ask my boss for a promotion? Jane: Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I think I'll audition for a part in that play. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
See also: gain, nothing
venture forth
1. Fig. to set out; to go forward; to go out cautiously. George ventured forth into the night. I think I will venture forth. It looks safe.
2. Fig. to go forth bravely. Let us venture forth and conquer the enemy. We will arm ourselves and venture forth against our foe.
See also: forth, venture
venture out (something)
and venture out of (something)to go out of something cautiously. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) Peter ventured out of his house for only a minute into the cold. He ventured out the door for only a moment.
See also: out, venture
venture (up)on someone or something
to come upon someone or something by chance. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on. The entire expression is formal or stilted.) David ventured upon Fred, who was out looking for mushrooms. I ventured on a little shop on Maple Street that deals in old model trains.
See also: on, venture
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
nothing ventured, nothing gained
One must take risks to achieve something, as in They quit their jobs, packed up, and moved to Wisconsin, saying "nothing ventured, nothing gained." Although this adage has appeared in slightly different form since the late 1300s, it was first recorded in this form only in 1624. For another version, see no pain, no gain.
See also: gain, nothing
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
nothing ˌventured, nothing ˈgained
(saying) used to say that you have to take risks if you want to achieve things and be successful: Go on, apply for the job. You know what they say — nothing ventured, nothing gained.See also: gain, nothing
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
venture forth
v.
To proceed despite possible danger or risk: After the storm subsided, we ventured forth to assess the damage.
See also: forth, venture
venture into
v.
To proceed into something despite possible danger or risk: The explorers ventured into the dark cave.
See also: venture
venture on
or venture uponv.
To come upon something by chance or fortune: The travelers ventured on a charming country inn. The explorers ventured upon a hidden cache of gold.
See also: on, venture
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
at a venture
By mere chance or fortune; at random.
See also: venture
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
nothing ventured, nothing gained
If you won’t take a chance you can’t expect to achieve anything. There are two older proverbial forms of this expression, nothing (nought) venture, nothing (nought) have, stated by Chaucer (ca. 1374), and nothing venture, nothing win, stated by William Caxton about a century later. The modern form appears in Thomas Heywood’s play Captives (1624): “I see here that nought venters, nothinge gaynes.” It has been repeated in numerous languages ever since. Another, seemingly modern form is no pain, no gain, today frequently uttered by coaches, trainers, and physical therapists. Versions of this date from the early seventeenth century—“Pain is forgotten where gain follows” appeared in several early proverb collections—and the current rhyming cliché was proverbial by the mid-nineteenth century.
See also: gain, nothing
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- at a venture
- there is always room at the top
- teach a man to fish
- cut (someone) in on (something)
- cut someone in on something
- come out (a certain way) on (something)
- come out on
- it takes a village
- village
- do well out of (someone or something)