make a wild guess

USAGE SUMMARY

"make a wild guess" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to encourage someone to take a guess or try to guess something, even if it's unlikely to be correct. For example, "I don't know what the answer is, so let's make a wild guess."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Make a wild guess about the buyer's undisclosed identity.

The New York Times - Arts

Make a wild guess on what they'll say.

The Washington Post

I'm going to make a wild guess here and assert that Theresa May has never gone by the name of "Tezza": Does Nigel Farage count as a celebrity these days?

The Guardian

I'm just going to make a wild guess here: "Unit 436" is probably a really, really small unit.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I'm making a wild guess," he said.

The New York Times - Science

I was not making a wild guess when I pointed to Davis-Besse in 1986.

The New York Times

That didn't stop Gotham from making a wild guess.

Forbes

It was clear from Manjrekar's expression that he had just made a wild guess.

Huffington Post

When you want the market value of your home worked out, it makes sense to get someone who is skilled in doing this rather than making a wild guess from comparisons you've happened to spot.

WikiHow

However, there are a lot of layers that are left undiscovered because rarely is there a discussion about the disparity in pay that exists between white women versus black women (or other colours, creeds, sexualities, etc).. Wanna take a wild guess and see who makes more?

Vice

If you don't have a ruler handy, just take a wild guess.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make a wild guess" when you want to encourage someone to attempt an answer, even if they are unsure or lack sufficient information. It sets a lighthearted tone and reduces pressure for a correct response.

Common error

Avoid using "make a wild guess" when accuracy is crucial or in formal settings where precision is expected. The phrase indicates uncertainty and is inappropriate when a reliable answer is needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a wild guess" functions as an idiomatic expression used to invite someone to offer a speculative answer. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, suggesting that the purpose is to elicit a response even when certainty is low.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

37%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make a wild guess" is an idiomatic expression used to encourage speculation or estimation without pressure for accuracy. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While primarily informal, it appears in news media and other contexts, highlighting its versatility. The frequency is classified as "Common", and it invites a lighthearted approach to problem-solving or conversation, and this can be confirmed by Ludwig's examples. Related phrases include "take a shot in the dark" and "hazard a guess", offering similar meanings with slight variations in formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a shot in the dark

This phrase implies an attempt with very little chance of success, similar to a wild guess.

hazard a guess

Suggests offering a guess that might not be accurate or well-informed.

take a stab at it

Indicates an attempt to answer or solve something, even without full knowledge.

venture a guess

Implies offering a guess with some hesitation or uncertainty.

pluck a number out of thin air

This idiom suggests choosing a number randomly without any basis.

pull a figure out of a hat

Similar to 'pluck a number out of thin air', it indicates a random guess.

offer a conjecture

More formal, suggesting a guess based on incomplete information.

speculate

To form opinions or surmises about something on the basis of incomplete information.

take a flier

Indicates making a risky guess or attempt.

estimate roughly

Implies providing an approximate answer without precise calculation.

FAQs

How can I use "make a wild guess" in a sentence?

You can use "make a wild guess" to invite someone to speculate or estimate, as in "I have no idea how many people will attend, so "make a wild guess"!"

What's a less common way to say "make a wild guess"?

Alternatives to "make a wild guess" include "hazard a guess" or "venture a guess", which are slightly more formal.

When is it appropriate to use "make a wild guess"?

It's suitable in informal conversations, brainstorming sessions, or when the exact answer isn't critical. Avoid it in formal reports or situations requiring precise data.

Is "take a wild guess" the same as "make a wild guess"?

Yes, "take a wild guess" is nearly identical in meaning and usage to "make a wild guess". Both invite someone to speculate without pressure for accuracy.