gamble on it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gamble on it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to taking a risk or making a bet on a particular outcome or decision. Example: "I decided to gamble on it and invest in the new startup, hoping it would pay off in the long run."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Probably not, but maybe a smaller one would be willing to take a gamble on it.

TechCrunch

I gamble on it.

The New Yorker

Nobody knows whether the East African gamble on IT and outsourcing will pay off.

The Guardian

And people took a gamble on it, and it paid off".

The New York Times - Sports

The private investors that own Harrah's, the money-losing casino company, are taking it public, and investors are going to gamble on it despite a crushing debt load.

The New York Times

TVs in the shop broadcast foreign horse racing and a tennis match on clay at the French Open, but there were no customers in to gamble on it.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

A stockmarket listing cannot really help while the state remains in charge: minority investors can do little to change poor corporate governance or influence strategy.Instead, China is gambling on going it alone.

The Economist

"The American people want the federal government to use its resources enhancing our security, not gambling on it," the letter said.

The New York Times

They made a calculation but they've gambled on it.

The New York Times

Atlantic Monthly Press gambled on it and it won the Pulitzer Prize.

The New York Times - Books

"There is now a crossover between enjoying watching the sport and gambling on it".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gamble on it", ensure the context clearly indicates what the 'it' refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader. For example: "The company decided to gamble on the new marketing strategy".

Common error

Avoid using "gamble on it" when there's a high degree of certainty. The phrase implies risk and uncertainty, so a more appropriate phrase would be "rely on it" or "depend on it" when the outcome is highly probable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gamble on it" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating an action of taking a risk or making a bet on something. It describes the act of relying on something uncertain, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gamble on it" is a common and grammatically sound way to express taking a risk with the hope of a positive outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English. While suitable for various contexts, it's important to ensure clarity by specifying what the 'it' refers to. Be mindful of the level of certainty involved and avoid using it when a more reliable outcome is expected; alternatives like "rely on it" may be more appropriate. Common alternatives to "gamble on it" include "take a chance on it" and "bet on it".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a chance on it

Focuses on the element of chance and uncertainty.

bet on it

Directly implies placing a bet or wager.

risk it

Emphasizes the potential for loss or negative consequences.

venture it

Suggests a more daring or adventurous approach.

speculate on it

Implies making a prediction about a future outcome based on incomplete information.

stake it

Highlights the act of wagering something valuable.

wager on it

A more formal way of saying "bet on it".

lay odds on it

Focuses on the probabilistic aspect of the gamble.

take a punt on it

Implies a less serious or more playful approach to the risk.

hazard it

Emphasizes the potential danger or peril involved.

FAQs

What does "gamble on it" mean?

"Gamble on it" means to take a risk or bet on something, hoping for a positive outcome despite uncertainty. It implies that the result is not guaranteed and involves a degree of chance.

What can I say instead of "gamble on it"?

You can use alternatives like "take a chance on it", "bet on it", or "risk it" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "gamble on it" in formal writing?

While "gamble on it" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "speculate on it" or "venture it" might be preferable in academic or professional contexts.

How does "gamble on it" differ from "rely on it"?

"Gamble on it" implies uncertainty and risk, while "rely on it" suggests a greater degree of confidence and expectation that something will happen as planned.