Go in with eyes shut 🚶‍♀️🙈

Meaning

To undertake something without fully understanding the risks or consequences.

Origin

Imagine this: you're about to step into a pitch-black cave, a place rumored to hold dragons or bottomless pits. Doing so with your eyes shut? Pure madness, right? That visceral image is the heart of this phrase. It paints a picture of someone blindly rushing into a situation, utterly unaware of the dangers lurking just ahead. It’s the antithesis of careful planning, a bold, perhaps foolhardy, leap into the unknown, fueled by ignorance rather than courage.

☠️ risk ❌📉 failure 😨😱 fear 🎭🤥 deception

Go in with eyes shut represented with emoji🚶‍♀️🙈

This playful arrangement of emojis functions as a delightful lexicon, inviting us to consider how simple symbols can speak volumes. Note how the solitary walker, unburdened by sight, echoes the sentiment of embarking on a journey without full foresight. It serves as a whimsical reminder that sometimes, the most intrepid adventures are those we stumble into with 'eyes shut'.

Examples

  • He decided to invest all his savings in that new app, but he really went in with his eyes shut.
  • She agreed to the blind date without asking any questions, clearly going in with her eyes shut.
  • The dragon king decided to challenge the grumpy wizard, going in with his eyes shut and a rather ill-advised roar.
  • The adventurous squirrel signed up for the extreme acorn-gathering competition, going in with his eyes shut and a fuzzy sense of mortal peril.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'go in with eyes shut' a popular idiom in British English?

While 'go in with eyes shut' is understood in British English, it's not as commonly used as some other idioms for acting without knowledge. Its imagery is quite universal, though, making it recognizable across English-speaking regions.

What's the opposite of 'go in with eyes shut'?

The opposite of 'go in with eyes shut' is to 'go in with eyes wide open,' meaning to proceed with full awareness of the situation and potential risks.

What are some common situations where someone might 'go in with eyes shut'?

People might 'go in with eyes shut' when starting a new job without researching the company culture, investing in a 'get rich quick' scheme, or entering a relationship without understanding the other person's history.

Similar to "go in with eyes shut"

Leap of faith
Both phrases describe an action taken without full certainty, but 'leap of faith' often carries a more positive, even spiritual, connotation of trust in the unknown, whereas 'go in with eyes shut' leans toward a reckless, potentially foolish, disregard for caution
Buy a pig in a poke
This idiom shares the idea of acquiring something without proper inspection, but 'buy a pig in a poke' specifically refers to a transaction where the true value or nature of the item is concealed or unknown, highlighting a deceptive element that 'go in with eyes shut' doesn't necessarily imply
Jump in with both feet
Both imply a wholehearted commitment to an action, but 'jump in with both feet' often suggests enthusiastic and decisive action, while 'go in with eyes shut' emphasizes a lack of foresight or understanding of potential dangers

Opposite of "go in with eyes shut"

Look before you leap
This argues for caution and careful consideration before acting, directly countering the headlong, unthinking approach of 'go in with eyes shut' by championing prudence and foresight
Due diligence
This advocates for thorough investigation and understanding of all aspects of a situation before committing, standing in stark contrast to the wilful ignorance implied by 'go in with eyes shut' and highlighting the importance of informed decision-making

Related to "go in with eyes shut"

Tip of the iceberg
This phrase often comes up when discussing the hidden dangers or complexities that someone might be 'going in with eyes shut' to, reminding us that the visible problem is often just a small part of a larger, unseen issue
Sailing into a storm
This metaphor evokes the image of venturing into a known or predictable danger, much like someone who 'goes in with eyes shut' might be doing if they are aware of potential trouble but choose to ignore it
Blindly trust
This captures the essence of the unthinking commitment in 'go in with eyes shut,' suggesting a reliance on faith or an external party without seeking evidence or understanding consequences
Biting off more than you can chew
This often describes the unfortunate outcome for someone who 'went in with eyes shut,' because their lack of understanding of the risks led them to commit to a task or situation far beyond their capability