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Certainty & Possibility - Uncertainty

Explore English idioms regarding uncertainty with examples like "have second thoughts" and "too close to call".

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English idioms related to Certainty & Possibility
too close to call

almost impossible to predict who will win and who will lose, particularly in a competition

Ex: The election is too close to call tonight. 
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a question mark [hang] over {sth}

a feeling of uncertainty and doubt about something

Ex: A question mark still hangs over the future of the project. 
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to [set|put] the record straight

to correct a false story, misunderstanding, or incorrect belief by giving the true facts

Ex: I need to set the record straight: I never approved that deal. 
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you never know
you never know
[sentence]

used to say that even if the happening of something is unlikely, it is not impossible

Ex: Apply for the job; you never know, they might call you. 
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gray area
gray area
[noun]

a situation that is hard to define or categorize and therefore unclear

Ex: The new rule leaves too many gray areas for teachers. 
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to [have] second thoughts

to start doubting a decision and begin to wonder whether it is the right or best thing to do

Ex: She had second thoughts about moving abroad after talking to her family. 
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(shot|stab) in the dark

an attempt to guess or do something without having sufficient information or knowing the consequences

Ex: I didn't know the answer, so my response was just a shot in the dark. 
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in the balance

used to refer to something that is in an uncertain state

Ex: The future of the company is still in the balance. 
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to [be] (anyone's|anybody's) (guess|call)

to be difficult or almost impossible to predict the outcome of a situation or event

Ex: Who will win the election is anyone's guess. 
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to [take] {sth} with a grain of salt

to only accept a part of something or not take it seriously at all

Ex: Take his promises with a grain of salt; he often changes his mind. 
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wild card
wild card
[noun]

a person or thing with uncertain or uncontrollable qualities or capabilities

Ex: The new candidate is a wild card in this election. 
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rope of sand
rope of sand
[phrase]

a thing that is nowhere as good or strong as it appears

Ex: Their alliance looked powerful, but it turned out to be a rope of sand. 
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under a cloud of suspicion

viewed with doubt or mistrust, even if not proven

Ex: He left the company under a cloud of suspicion. 
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how long is a piece of string

used to say that it is impossible to answer a question concerning the size, length, or amount of something

Ex: How long will the renovation take? How long is a piece of string? 
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give or take
give or take
[phrase]

used to say that the amount mentioned might be a little more or less than the exact amount

Ex: The trip will take three hours, give or take. 
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neck and neck

used to describe a situation where no clear advantage or resolution has emerged, leaving the final result uncertain

Ex: The negotiations are neck and neck, with no clear agreement in sight. 
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neither fish nor fowl

used to describe a person or thing that is hard to describe or classify

Ex: The new device is neither fish nor fowl: not quite a phone and not quite a tablet. 
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dog's chance

a very little or no chance of success

Ex: He doesn't have a dog's chance of winning the case. 
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to [twist|swing|hang] in the wind

(of a person) to be in a state of uncertainty or confusion

Ex: After the manager resigned, the whole team was left twisting in the wind. 
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