swing for the fences

Definition & Meaning of "[swing] for the fences"

to swing for the fences

to aim for goals that are unrealistic or extremely difficult to achieve

What is the origin of the idiom "swing for the fences" and when to use it?

The idiom "swing for the fences" has its origins in baseball, where batters attempt to hit a home run by swinging the bat as hard as they can to send the ball over the outfield fence. In a broader sense, it is used to describe a strategy or approach that aims for an exceptionally ambitious, risky, or extraordinary outcome.

Example

The entrepreneur decided to swing for the fences with a groundbreaking product that could revolutionize the industry.

When preparing for the championship, the team decided to swing for the fences and go all out in their training and strategy.

In the competitive job market, job seekers often need to swing for the fences in terms of their qualifications and networking efforts to secure their dream positions.