throw it at the wall and see what sticks

Register · Informal Informal — used in casual, everyday conversation among friends and family. Avoid in formal writing or professional settings. CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

to try many ideas quickly, keeping only the ones that work

Why this phrase?

From the image of throwing spaghetti at a wall: whatever sticks, you keep.

Example

“Growth is a numbers game — throw things at the wall and see what sticks.”

Dictionary details

Alternate forms

throw spaghetti at the wall

Component words

throw wall stick

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

hockey stick Neutral · CEFR B2

a pattern of slow or flat growth followed by a sudden, dramatic rise

back against the wall Informal · CEFR B1

in a desperate situation with few options left

drive someone up the wall Informal · CEFR B1

to make someone feel extremely annoyed or frustrated

the writing on the wall Neutral · CEFR B1

clear and unmistakable signs that failure or disaster is coming

carrot and stick Neutral · CEFR B2

a strategy that uses both incentives and penalties to steer behavior

throw caution to the wind Neutral · CEFR B2

to act boldly or recklessly without considering the possible consequences

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.

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