wing and prayer

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From the earlier and more common phrase on a wing and a prayer.

Noun[edit]

wing and prayer (plural wings and prayers)

  1. A precarious situation; a situation whose successful outcome is hoped for but uncertain.
    His sudden career change was a bit of a wing and prayer.
  2. An approach to addressing a problem whose effectiveness is doubtful.
    The candidate’s speech had nothing to offer but wings and prayers.