crapshoot
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A game of craps: The act of playing the dice game craps.
- A risky and uncertain venture: An enterprise or situation whose outcome is unpredictable and depends largely on chance.
Examples
- Noun:
- The outcome of the election is a total crapshoot.
- Investing in that new tech startup is a real crapshoot; it could make millions or fail completely.
- Trying to predict the weather this far in advance is a crapshoot.
Advanced Usage
"to be a crapshoot": Describes a situation that is inherently unpredictable.
- Finding a parking spot downtown after 5 PM is always a crapshoot.
"become a crapshoot": Indicates that a situation has transitioned to being unpredictable.
- With the new regulations, planning the project timeline has become a crapshoot.
Variants and Related Words
Craps (n): The specific dice game from which the term originates.
- He lost fifty dollars playing craps at the casino.
Gamble (n): A risky action or venture. (Note: "Crapshoot" emphasizes randomness, while "gamble" can imply a more calculated risk).
- Starting a business is always a gamble.
Synonyms
- Lottery: An event or process whose outcome is governed by chance.
- Roll of the dice: A situation dependent on luck.
- Toss-up: An even chance or an unpredictable result between two possibilities.
Related Phrases
- A shot in the dark: A wild guess or attempt with little chance of success.
- Asking for a raise without any preparation was a shot in the dark.
Related Idioms
It's anyone's guess: Used to say that no one knows what will happen.
- Who will win the championship this year? It's anyone's guess.
A flip of a coin: A decision or outcome left purely to chance.
- Choosing between the two candidates was a flip of a coin; they were equally qualified.
Noun
- playing craps
- a risky and uncertain venture
- getting admitted to the college of your choice has become a crapshoot