to bet the ranch
2
8.2
- idiom
- Informal
- They wanted to live well, but they didn't want to bet the ranch on anything.
Examples
-
Before investing in the startup, she was careful not to bet the ranch without doing thorough research.
-
What's going to happen to the millions of people who, you know, bet the ranch on a fraud?
-
Just don't bet the ranch on the chance your horse will come in second.
-
He decided to bet the ranch on the new business venture, believing it was his best chance for success.
-
When he placed all his savings on that last game, it was clear he was ready to bet the ranch.
Synonyms
412
3.8
Do something risky hoping to do well
136
3.3
To do something risky hoping for a good result
11
4.2
To do something risky hoping to get a good result
10
6.4
To risk everything to try to succeed
6
3.0
To do something that might lead to harm or loss
4
8.5
To risk everything you own on one decision
3
5.8
Risk all your money or chances on one plan
3
8.5
To try something risky when the result is not certain
1
4.2
Try a risky action hoping it will work
To risk all your money because you are sure something will happen
Antonyms
How Risky
Surface Forms
Morphology
bet + the + ranch
The sense 'to risk everything' follows directly from combining 'bet' (to wager) with 'ranch' (a large farm/property): wagering your ranch naturally implies risking all you own. This metaphorical composition is straightforward and similar to transparent variants like 'bet the farm', so a B1 learner who knows the constituents should be able to infer the meaning.
Etymology
Bet the ranch may come from images of American ranchers and gamblers. Imagine a ranch owner putting his whole ranch into one bet in a card game — to bet the land was to 'risk everything', so the phrase means 'to risk everything on a single chance'.