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toss-up

toss-up

20 6.2
A situation where two results have the same chance
  • noun
  • /ˈtɔsˌʌp/
  • Informal
translation icon : resultado incierto
  • The final Rasmussen Reports tracking poll showed a toss-up with Mitt Romney at 49% and President Obama at 48%.
  • toss-up race
  • toss-up state
  • considered a toss-up

So it was always a toss up between the two.

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Examples

  • So far it's a toss-up between your guest room and the Ambassador Hotel.

  • It's a true toss-up between the incumbent president and a serious challenger from within his own party.

  • So it was always a toss up between the two.

  • I am sure you will find that it's a toss-up between the two services.

    Blog text (22)
  • Even if you think the race is a toss-up, you are likely to bet on your guy.

    Blog text (16)
  • I feel that it is a toss-up between my stuff and my time.

    Blog text (22)
  • For me, it is a toss-up between managing my time and managing my stuff!

    Blog text (22)
  • For me, it was the toss up between Shane and Mari.

  • Hundreds of millions of dollars have poured into both campaigns, and the polls show it may be the only true toss up there is.

  • Tonight's vote is a toss-up between Matt and Julia, as both candidates have strong support.

Synonyms

coin toss
vstoss-up
17 2.4

A way to decide something by flipping a coin and seeing which side lands up

is the situation of equal chances between two outcomes not the physical action
even money
vstoss-up
5 4.4

An equal chance of either result, like a fifty-fifty bet

is the general uncertain situation with two equally likely outcomes not only betting odds
toss of a coin
vstoss-up
1 2.9

A way to decide between two options by flipping a coin

is the uncertain state of two equal possible results rather than the deciding act
a bit of a crapshoot
vstoss-up
  • Slang
1 9.5

An uncertain situation whose result depends on chance

is specifically an equal fifty-fifty uncertainty not a generally risky gamble
throw of the dice
vstoss-up
6.5

A decision that depends mostly on chance

focuses on equal likelihood between two results rather than general risky chance
dice roll
vstoss-up
4.7

A choice with an uncertain result that may be risky

is a two-outcome equal-probability situation not a broadly unpredictable event

Antonyms

certainty
  • Literature
202 3.4

A strong feeling that something is true or will happen

How Certain

certainty
  • Literature
202 3.4
toss-up
  • Informal
20 6.2
long shot
  • Informal
58 4.6
guess
768 1.0

Surface Forms

toss-up singular
toss-ups plural

Morphology

toss-up = toss + up (semi-transparent) = toss + up

The expression is built from the literal idea of tossing something up, but the modern meaning of an uncertain outcome is a generalized idiomatic extension.

Etymology

Toss-up comes from the simple action of tossing something up, like flipping a coin in the air to choose between two people, where the result is left to chance. So a toss-up is a situation where the result is uncertain and either outcome is about equally likely.