stab

/ˈstab/

Middle English stabbe

noun

  1. a wound produced by a pointed object or weapon

  2. a thrust of a pointed weapon

  3. a jerky thrust

verb

  1. to wound or pierce by the thrust of a pointed object or weapon

  2. thrust, drive

  3. to thrust or give a wound with or as if with a pointed weapon

noun phrase

  1. a guess that is based on very little or no information or evidence

  2. an attempt that is not likely to succeed

They don't really know how much the work will cost. They're just taking a stab in the dark.