idiom: a wild guess

Definitions

• make a guess without any basis or evidence
  To make a guess about something without any real knowledge or information

Examples of idiom: a wild guess

• The detective made a wild guess and declared that the missing gemstone was hidden in the antique clock.

  This idiom, "a wild guess," is used when someone makes a guess without any concrete evidence or reasoning. In this example, the detective's statement suggests that they do not have any tangible information to support their claim, but are making a hunch based on their intuition or instincts.

• The chef added a pinch of chili flakes to the soup as a wild guess, not knowing if it would enhance the taste.

  Here, the chef is using a wild guess to add a new flavor to the soup. They are unsure whether the chili flakes will have a positive or negative impact on the soup, but they are taking a chance to experiment with the taste.

• The student answered the question wildly guessing the correct option.

  This idiom is used to explain a situation where the person guessed, or took an educated guess, about something without any prior knowledge. In this example, the student had no idea about the answer but had to make an estimation based on their mixed knowledge of the subject.

• The speaker muttered a wild guess about the future, predicting that the company would meet major losses in the upcoming year.

  In this example, the speaker's statement is a wild guess as they do not have any factual data to support the claim. They are making an educated conjecture based on their observations and assumptions.

• The detective made a wild guess and arrested the wrong suspect.

  In this example, the phrase "a wild guess" is used to describe the detective's decision-making process. It implies that the detective didn't have enough evidence to make an informed decision, but instead relied on a guess or intuition.

• She guessed that he would be home by seven, but it was just a wild guess.

  In this example, the phrase "a wild guess" is used to describe the speaker's prediction about the other person's whereabouts. It suggests that the speaker's guess was unreliable or uncertain, as she did not have any solid evidence or information to support her belief.

• After taking a wild guess at the weight of the sack, the farmer was surprised to find it weighed almost twice as much as he thought.

  In this example, the phrase "a wild guess" is used to describe the farmer's estimate of the weight of a sack. It implies that the farmer didn't have a clear understanding of how much the sack weighed, but instead guessed based on his own judgement or experience.

• The author made a wild guess about the ending of the book, but she was pleasantly surprised when she found out the truth.

  In this example, the phrase "a wild guess" is used to describe the author's expectations for the book's conclusion. It suggests that the author didn't have a clear idea of how the story would end, but instead speculated based on her own interpretation or desire for a particular outcome.

Conclusion

The idiom "a wild guess" is used to describe a guess that is made without any basis or evidence. It is often used when someone is unsure about something and is just making a guess without any real knowledge or information. This can be in a lighthearted or casual context, but it can also be used to express frustration or skepticism about someone's guess.

People use this idiom to convey uncertainty or doubt about the accuracy of a guess, and to emphasize that it is not based on any substantial evidence. It is commonly used in everyday conversation when discussing uncertain situations or making speculative predictions.

Origin of "idiom: a wild guess"

The origin of the idiom "a wild guess" is not definitively known, but it likely stems from the idea of something being untamed or unpredictable. The word "wild" suggests a lack of control or restraint, and when applied to a guess, it implies that it is uninformed or unrestrained by evidence.

The term "wild guess" has been used in English language for a long time, appearing in various forms in literature and colloquial speech. It is often used as a way to convey the idea of a guess that is made without much thought or consideration. The idiom likely originated from the concept of wild animals being unpredictable or untamed, and this association with unpredictability was applied to the act of guessing without any basis. Overall, the idiom "a wild guess" has become a common expression in English to describe an uninformed or speculative guess.