a stab in the dark
noun phrase
1
: a guess that is based on very little or no information or evidence
They don't really know how much the work will cost. They're just taking a stab in the dark.
2
: an attempt that is not likely to succeed
It's a stab in the dark, but we should try anyway.
Examples of a stab in the dark in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
So kids, tourniquet that ol’ arm off, sharpen yr works on the strike surface of a matchbook, then take a stab in the dark with these.
—
Henry Everingham, SPIN, 17 Oct. 2024
But where to start was the infernal question; every attempt would be a stab in the dark.
—Shi En Kim, Scientific American, 3 Aug. 2023
Henry Everingham, SPIN, 17 Oct. 2024
But where to start was the infernal question; every attempt would be a stab in the dark.
—Shi En Kim, Scientific American, 3 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'a stab in the dark.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“A stab in the dark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20stab%20in%20the%20dark. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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