on spec

idiom

1

: without having a definite buyer or customer but with the hope or expectation of finding one when work is completed

He built the house on spec.

She wrote the script on spec.

2

chiefly British : without being sure of success but with the hope of success

He wrote to the company on spec, hoping for a job.

Examples of on spec in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But unlike the tsunami of activity junior bankers handled during the pandemic, the recent sense in the lower rungs is that much of the work is on spec, as bosses try to position their firms for an upswing, especially once interest rates fall. —Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 28 June 2024

Anne Sundell wrote the script on spec from an original idea and developed alongside Richanbach. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 26 June 2024

Conder said that job numbers for projects such as Eastland Commerce Center often change because they are built on spec, without commitments from future occupants. —Jc Reindl, Detroit Free Press, 3 June 2024

The houses would be built on spec in three general styles or can be customized. —Jc Reindl, Detroit Free Press, 10 May 2024