venture

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

If you do not take risks, you will never accomplish anything. Bill: Should I ask my boss for a promotion? Jane: Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I think I'll audition for a part in that play. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

See also: gain, nothing

venture (up)on someone or something

to come upon someone or something by chance. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on. The entire expression is formal or stilted.) David ventured upon Fred, who was out looking for mushrooms. I ventured on a little shop on Maple Street that deals in old model trains.

venture forth 

1. Fig. to set out; to go forward; to go out cautiously. George ventured forth into the night. I think I will venture forth. It looks safe.

2. Fig. to go forth bravely. Let us venture forth and conquer the enemy. We will arm ourselves and venture forth against our foe.

See also: forth

venture out (something) and venture out of (something)

to go out of something cautiously. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) Peter ventured out of his house for only a minute into the cold. He ventured out the door for only a moment.

See also: out

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Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

something that you say which means that it is necessary to take risks in order to achieve something We tried to make television programmes that were new and different, and we weren't always successful, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

See also: gain, nothing