Definition

Noun: 1. An unpredictable situation or outcome: A situation where two or more possible results are equally likely, making it impossible to predict which one will occur. 2. An even chance or 50/50 probability: A state of uncertainty where the odds are balanced.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The election is a complete toss-up; both candidates have equal support.
  • Whether it will rain or stay sunny this afternoon is a toss-up.
  • It's a toss-up between the chocolate cake and the cheesecake; they both look delicious.

Advanced Usage

• "to be a toss-up": To be a situation where the outcome is uncertain and the possibilities are equally balanced.
  • The final game was a toss-up until the last minute.
• Used to indicate a difficult choice between two equally good or bad options.
  • When both job offers are excellent, it's a real toss-up.

Variants and Related Words

• Toss (verb): To throw something lightly or casually. The phrase "toss-up" originates from the practice of tossing a coin to decide something.
• Toss-up question (noun phrase): An informal term for a very difficult quiz question or one where the answer is a guess.

Synonyms

• Even chance
• Toss of a coin
• Dead heat (in a race or competition)
• Too close to call

Idioms and Common Phrases

• "It's a toss-up": This is the standard idiomatic phrase used to express uncertainty between two outcomes.
  • It's a toss-up whether the train will be on time today.
• "A toss-up between A and B": Used to specify the two uncertain options.
  • It's a toss-up between moving to the city or staying in the countryside.

Noun

1. an unpredictable phenomenon
   • it's a toss-up whether he will win or lose