make a gamble

USAGE SUMMARY

"make a gamble" is a valid phrase in written English that could be used in many contexts.
For example, you might say: "He decided to make a gamble and buy the stock at its highest price."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But if you're down to make a gamble, we're here to help.

TechCrunch

Generally, it is believed that SG yields higher health utilities, because it asks patients to make a gamble between a chance of good health and a chance of death, and most people are reluctant to accept a large risk of death to avoid an adverse health state [ 72, 73].

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

CHARLIE CRIST, Florida's governor, first tried to make a gambling pact with the Seminole tribe in late 2007.

The Economist

His team made a gamble to call him in at that point to change his tires.

The New York Times - Sports

"I made a gamble to stay shallow, I was betting on warmer weather," Reese said.

The New York Times - Sports

During an outfit panic in Milan, I made a gamble, pairing the shoes with a spring 2010 Prada suit; they looked good outside the gym.

The New York Times

"We made a gamble when we bought the team and paid what we paid for it, and everyone said we paid too much," Kasten, the team president, said before Game 1 of the Dodgers' division series here Thursday.

The New York Times - Sports

John Kagwe, a Kenyan who won the New York Marathon in 1997 and 1998, said Mouaziz won because he ran courageously and made a gamble early in the race, a sprint away from even the pace-setters, pay off.

The New York Times - Sports

After a series of tyre failures in 2013, including five at the British Grand Prix, Pirelli altered their construction, since which they have performed well and, asked if Ferrari had made a gamble that had not paid off, Hembery concurred.

The Guardian - Sport

The Ukrainian coach made a gamble starting the ageing former Chelsea striker, however the gamble more than paid off, and after his display in Kiev last night surely more national landmarks will be named after the legendary striker who has almost reached a god like status in his country.

Independent

But then, three minutes later, he made a gamble and reached for a water bottle offscreen: he lurched down to his left and fumbled a bit, making a terrifyingly intimate moment of eye contact with the audience before taking a quick sip from an unfortunately tiny bottle and then ducking to put it back.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make a gamble", consider the level of risk involved. It's appropriate when the outcome is uncertain and carries significant potential consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "make a gamble" when describing trivial choices. Opt for phrases like "take a chance" or "try" when the stakes are low.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a gamble" functions as a verb phrase, with "make" acting as the main verb and "a gamble" serving as the direct object. As shown in Ludwig, the phrase denotes the act of undertaking a risky action with an uncertain outcome. The phrase is accepted by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make a gamble" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe taking a risk with an uncertain outcome. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this phrase. While not exceedingly frequent, its use is widespread across News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, consider the level of risk involved and whether alternative phrases like "take a chance" or "take a risk" might be more appropriate for trivial decisions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a chance

Focuses on the act of seizing an opportunity, which inherently involves risk.

take a risk

Highlights the potential for loss or negative consequences.

roll the dice

Emphasizes the element of luck and unpredictability.

play a hunch

Implies reliance on intuition rather than concrete evidence.

venture a guess

Suggests a less certain prediction or estimate.

stick your neck out

Indicates exposing oneself to danger or criticism.

take a flyer

Denotes a speculative and potentially unsuccessful attempt.

shoot for the moon

Signifies aiming for an ambitious and difficult goal.

go out on a limb

Suggests taking a precarious or unsupported position.

test the waters

Refers to making a preliminary or cautious investigation.

FAQs

How can I use "make a gamble" in a sentence?

You can use "make a gamble" to describe taking a risk with an uncertain outcome. For example, "The company decided to "take a chance" and "make a gamble" on a new marketing strategy."

What's a synonym for "make a gamble"?

Synonyms for "make a gamble" include "take a risk", "take a chance", or "roll the dice". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "make a gamble" or "take a gamble"?

Both "make a gamble" and "take a gamble" are grammatically correct and generally interchangeable. The choice often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "make a gamble"?

The phrase "make a gamble" is appropriate when describing a decision with significant uncertainty and potential consequences. It suggests that the outcome is not guaranteed and involves a degree of risk.