English idiom

stick your neck out

Register · Informal CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

To take a risk by saying or doing something that others might criticize.

Why this phrase?

Like an animal exposing its neck to danger.

Example

“I'll stick my neck out and say this plan won't work.”

Recorded usage

These full forms were measured in COCA in 2016–2017. Counts apply to the quoted form, not every use of this idiom; overlapping forms are not added together.

“Don't stick your neck out” — 3 recorded occurrences

Grouped source variants; editorially classified here as an idiom. Usage counts are separate from CEFR difficulty.

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

can of worms

a complicated problem that causes trouble the moment it is touched

domino effect

a chain reaction in which one event triggers a series of similar events

in broad daylight

openly and where people can clearly see it, especially during the daytime

in the nick of time

at the latest moment when success is still possible

leap of faith

an act of trusting or committing without evidence or guarantees

red flag

a warning sign that something is wrong

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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