ダメもと

noun

giving it a try since there's nothing to lose

Colloquial abbreviation of 駄目で元々 (dame de motomoto), meaning 'it was no good from the start, so trying won't make it worse'. Used when attempting something with low expectations, knowing that failure leaves you no worse off.

See also: 駄目で元々

• ダメもとで彼かの女じょに告こく白はくしてみた。

  I asked her out on the off chance, figuring I had nothing to lose.

• ダメもとで応おう募ぼしたら、意い外がいと通とおった。

  I applied just in case, and surprisingly I got accepted.