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to gamble

to gamble

64 4.0
To take a risk hoping for a good result
  • verb
  • /ˈɡæm.bəl/
translation icon : arriesgarse
  • He decided to gamble on a new business venture even though the outcome was uncertain.

It seems to me that we are gambling everything.

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Examples

  • You're gambling with our lives, but you're not gonna gamble with mine!

  • OK, I'm going to force you to take this gamble unless you pay me.

  • And will not take that gamble with the future of this country.

  • Two things to gamble your points, but both teams have to agree.

  • Do you really wanna gamble with her?

  • Now it's time for you to gamble that my word is good.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The issue is that you gamble everything, and nothing changes.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • We'll be gambling on the future of this country.

  • Some farmers plant in March, gambling on a frostless early spring.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The current crop of defense contractors is gambling that the War on Terror will last at least as long.

    Academic text (2004)

Synonyms

to risk
vsto gamble
3.0

To do something that may cause harm or lead to loss

adds the element of hoping for an advantageous result under uncertainty
to play
vsto gamble
495 4.2

Risk money by betting to try to win more

reaches beyond money to any uncertain act seeking a favorable result
to bet on
vsto gamble
96 3.7

To risk money guessing which result will happen

is broader, covering many kinds of uncertain actions for potential advantage
to take a chance
vsto gamble
91 3.3

To do something risky hoping for a good result

focuses more on aiming for advantage under uncertainty rather than simple attempt
to take risks
vsto gamble
56 3.2

Do things that might be dangerous to get something important

is narrower, focusing on seeking advantage when outcomes are unknown
to stake
vsto gamble
56 5.3

To risk money or something valuable on the result of an event

is more general, applying to risky choices beyond placing valuables on outcomes
to take chances
vsto gamble
36 3.8

Do something risky hoping to do well

refers generally to doing a single risky act for potential advantage
to wager
vsto gamble
20 4.4

To risk money on the result of a game or event

includes non-wager actions that seek advantage under uncertainty as well
to chance
vsto gamble
18 4.5

To risk doing something hoping for a good result

places stronger emphasis on choosing a risky option for advantage
to speculate
vsto gamble
  • Specialized
10 7.0

To invest money in stocks or property taking a risk to make money quickly

is not limited to financial investment and covers non-financial risks for gain
to take a gamble
vsto gamble
7 4.2

To do something risky hoping to get a good result

has the same idea but emphasises the act of taking such a risk
to punt
vsto gamble
  • UK
4 7.6

To bet money on the result of a sports event

covers broader risky actions for advantage, not only event betting
to take one's chance
vsto gamble
  • Informal
4 4.2

Try a risky action hoping it will work

is used more broadly for taking uncertain moves to gain advantage
to hazard
vsto gamble
2 5.1

To risk something important to try to gain something

is broader, referring to taking uncertain actions for advantage not only danger
to run a risk
vsto gamble
2 3.0

To do something that might lead to harm or loss

highlights acting for potential gain under uncertainty rather than just exposure
to bet the house
vsto gamble
  • Informal
1 8.5

To risk everything you own on one decision

is similar but applies to risky acts of many scales, not only total loss
to bet the ranch
vsto gamble
  • Informal
1 8.2

To risk everything you have on one choice

covers ordinary risky choices aiming for advantage, not only all-or-nothing moves
to take a flyer
vsto gamble
  • Informal
1 8.5

To try something risky when the result is not certain

covers a wider set of uncertain actions aimed at gaining advantage

Idioms

Has a risk because the result is not certain

Phrasal Verbs

To do something risky hoping to get a good result

How Risky

to bet the ranch
  • Informal
1 8.2
to gamble
64 4.0
to risk
3.0
try
  • Specialized
423 1.0

Surface Forms

gamble infinitive
gambled past
gambled past participle
gambling present participle
gambles third person singular

Etymology

Gamble comes from an old word for game, meaning 'play', and so it grew to mean taking a risk in hope of a good result. That is why to gamble can mean to risk something hoping things will turn out well.