PhrasesHub

On a wing and a prayer

    Definitions

      • barely manage to succeed
        To barely manage to achieve something, often with very little hope or resources

      • take a risk
        To take a risk or chance on something, often with little likelihood of success

    Examples of On a wing and a prayer

    • The small plane took off on a wing and a prayer, as the pilot noticed a few odd readings on the dashboard.

      This idiom means to embark on a risky or uncertain undertaking with very little chance of success. In this example, the plane's pilot is unsure of the plane's technical condition, but decides to take off anyway, using the old aviation adage, "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst." The phrase "on a wing and a prayer" refers to the use of faith or hope as a substitute for practicality or experience. In this example, the pilot is left with nothing but hope and faith that the plane will make it off the ground safely.

    • The medical doctors tried a new experimental treatment on the patient, but they knew it was a long shot on a wing and a prayer.

      This idiom is used to describe an uncertain or risky situation that is undertaken with little or no proof of success. In this example, the doctors are trying a new and unproven medical treatment on a patient in the hopes that it will work. However, the phrase "on a wing and a prayer" implies that there is little real evidence that the treatment will be successful, and they are taking a chance based solely on hope or faith.

    • The tightrope walker walked the length of the Niagara Falls on a wing and a prayer, as thousands of spectators watched in amazement.

      This idiom can also be used to describe an activity that is extremely risky or daring. In this example, the tightrope walker takes an enormous risk by attempting to walk across the Niagara Falls on a tightrope. The phrase "on a wing and a prayer" implies that the walker's success is uncertain and solely based on luck or faith, rather than practicality or safety considerations.

    • The coach sent his weakest player into the game on a wing and a prayer, and amazingly, the player scored the winning goal.

      This idiom can also be used to describe an event that exceeds expectations and produces an unlikely outcome. In this example, the coach takes a chance by sending his weakest player into the game. The phrase "on a wing and a prayer" suggests that the coach is hoping for a miracle, rather than expecting his player to succeed. However, the player surprises everyone by scoring the winning goal, proving that sometimes, the outcome is just too good to be true, and the phrase "on a wing and a prayer" takes on a new meaning, implying that sometimes, luck can be just as important as skill.

    • The small airline operated on a wing and a prayer, with outdated aircraft and inexperienced pilots.

      This idiom means to take a risk or do something with little to no chance of success, often due to a lack of resources. In this example, the airline operated with only minimal resources, such as old planes and new pilots, increasing the level of risk in their flights.

    • The hikers climbed the treacherous mountain on a wing and a prayer, with no map or supplies.

      This example shows the extreme nature of using this idiom. The hikers were attempting a dangerous climb without any tools or resources to aid them. They essentially had no backup plans or strategies, relying solely on luck and hope.

    • The small startup company launched its product on a wing and a prayer, with little market research or customer analysis.

      This type of scenario often results in failure. The startup company took a significant risk by introducing its product without any prior research into the market. This left them with an unclear understanding of customer needs and preferences, which could ultimately lead to a loss in business.

    • The captain guided his damaged ship through the storm on a wing and a prayer, with malfunctioning equipment and a dwindling crew.

      This final example highlights the versatility of this idiom. Many idiomatic phrases can only be used in certain circumstances, but "on a wing and a prayer" applies to a wide range of situations. Here, the captain was attempting to navigate through a dangerous storm with a damaged ship, a broken crew, and broken equipment. It's a situation of the utmost danger and uncertainty, with little to no hope of success without the power of luck and hope guiding them.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "on a wing and a prayer" is used to convey the idea of barely managing to succeed or taking a risk with little hope of success. It is often used to describe situations where success is unlikely or where the outcome is uncertain.

    The phrase can be used in various contexts, such as in sports, business, or personal endeavors, to convey the idea of facing a difficult situation with little hope or resources. It can also be used to express the idea of taking a chance on something despite the odds being against you.

    Overall, the idiom "on a wing and a prayer" is used to convey the idea of facing a difficult situation with little hope or resources, or taking a risk with little likelihood of success.

    Origin of "On a wing and a prayer"

    The origin of the idiom "on a wing and a prayer" is believed to come from World War II. It is thought to have originated from a song titled "Comin' in on a Wing and a Prayer," which was popular during the war. The song tells the story of a damaged plane trying to make it back to base, relying on a "wing and a prayer" to survive.

    The phrase has since been used to describe situations where success is uncertain or where a risky decision is being made. It conveys the idea of relying on hope or luck to overcome difficult circumstances. The origin of the idiom reflects the challenging and uncertain times of war, where people had to rely on faith and luck to survive.