at a venture

English

Etymology

From earlier at adventure, with the same meaning, from Anglo-Norman and Old French a l'aventure (“at random”).

Prepositional phrase

at a venture

1. (dated) at random, without application of due thought, haphazardly or recklessly
   • 1713, George Oldham, A Sermon Preach’d at Bishop’s-Stortford in Hertfordshire, Aug. 25. 1713. at the Anniversary Solemnity of the School-Feast.:

     For when the Mind is once re-pleniſh’d with ſound and good Principles, not taken up at a Venture, but upon the most mature Deliberation, what can we reaſonably expect, but that it ſhould exert it ſelf in a ſuitable Manner upon all proper Occaſions.

   • 1780, William Cowper, letter, 5 June:

     For my own part, I never in my life began a letter more at a venture than the present.

   • 1911, Jules Verne, translated by Charles F. Horne, Round the World in Eighty Days:

     He had nothing better to do than to take chance for his guide, and to go at a venture through the streets of the city.