Certainty & Possibility - Possibility

Discover how English idioms like "read the tea leaves" and "the sky is the limit" relate to possibility in English.

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English idioms related to Certainty & Possibility

ten to one

[phrase]

extremely likely

Ex: Ten to one, he'll forget the meeting again.

the sky is the limit

[sentence]

used to say that there is nothing to prevent someone or something from achieving success

Ex: With her talent and discipline, the sky is the limit.

while the getting is good

[phrase]

before the opportunity to do or achieve something passes

Ex: Let's sell the old car while the getting is good.

to come one's way

[phrase]

(of something good) to happen or become available to one

Ex: If a better job comes your way, you should take it.

to be in the air

[phrase]

to get the feeling that something is about to happen

Ex: There was a feeling in the air that something big was about to happen.

if worst comes to worst

[sentence]

used for saying if the worst possible or most difficult thing happens

Ex: If worst comes to worst, we can stay at my brother's house for a few nights.

storm is brewing

[sentence]

used to say that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen

Ex: After the CEO resigned without warning, everyone felt a storm was brewing.

when push come to shove

[phrase]

used when a situation reaches a critical point and one must take action in order to deal with it

Ex: When push comes to shove, we will have to make a decision.

to stand a chance

[phrase]

to have a likelihood of success or achieving a desired outcome

Ex: We need more funding if we are going to stand a chance.

to read the tea leaves

[phrase]

to be able to say or estimate what is about to happen in the future

Ex: Investors are trying to read the tea leaves before the central bank meeting.

on paper

[phrase]

theoretically rather than practically

Ex: On paper, the plan looks perfect, but it may fail in practice.

cloud on the horizon

[phrase]

something that will be troublesome or problematic in the near future

Ex: Business is good, but the new tax rules are a cloud on the horizon.

Certainty & Possibility
Certainty	Uncertainty	Unlikely Situations	Impossibility
Luck & Chance	Possibility	Likelihood	Expectations
Unexpected	Unbelievable	Definite or Unavoidable

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