- Meaning
- This idiom describes doing something with minimal resources, preparation, or hope of success, relying on luck or faith, as if flying on a damaged wing and a prayer. It conveys precarious effort or desperation, often used in personal, professional, or wartime contexts to depict risky endeavors. The phrase carries a tone of hope, fragility, or suspense, reflecting cultural values of perseverance and the human tendency to push forward against odds. Its aviation imagery evokes a daring flight, resonating in scenarios like last-ditch efforts or crises. The idiom captures fragile hope, making it a poignant metaphor for uncertain ventures.
- Origin
- The phrase originated in World War II, tied to Allied pilots’ slang for flying damaged planes, popularized by the 1942 song *Comin’ in on a Wing and a Prayer* by Harold Adamson. Its earliest recorded use appears in *The New York Times* (1943), describing a pilot’s survival. The idiom gained traction post-war, amplified by films like *Twelve O’Clock High* (1949) and veteran stories. Its spread was boosted by its emotional resonance in crises, enduring in English-speaking cultures, especially in the U.S. and U.K., for its vivid imagery and universal appeal to hope under pressure.
- Variants
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- Wing and a prayer
- On a wing and prayer
- Come in on a wing and a prayer
- Examples
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- They finished the project on a wing and a prayer, with no budget left.
- Wing and a prayer, she submitted her application just before the deadline.
- On a wing and prayer, the team launched the product despite bugs.
- He came in on a wing and a prayer, barely passing the exam.
- On a wing and a prayer, they rebuilt the business after the fire.
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