wing and prayer

English

Etymology

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

Noun

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.