Phrase guide

swing for the fences

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To swing at the ball as hard as possible, with the aim of getting a home run.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US

Topics: ball-games, baseball, games, hobbies, lifestyle, softball, sports

Examples

  • Don't swing for the fences unless it's an easy ball; be content with running part way.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To do something extremely ambitious, especially rashly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, idiomatic

Examples

  • I'm not going to swing for the fences tomorrow, but I'm hoping my speech will be warmly received.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.