Too close to call

Meaning

The idiom "too close to call" means that it is difficult to determine the outcome or result of a situation, as it is uncertain or ambiguous. It can also mean that something is very close to happening or occurring.

Usage

• After several hours of deliberation, the judges declared the election results too close to call.
• The final game was too close to call, with both teams playing their best.
• My sister and I have been arguing for days about who gets to use the last slice of pizza. It's too close to call.
• The jury spent several hours deliberating the fate of the accused, but it was too close to call.
• We should be cautious about making any decisions until we know more about the situation. It's too close to call.

Roots and History

The idiom "too close to call" has its origins in the world of gambling and horse racing. In the past, racehorses were often ridden by jockeys who would try to get as close to the finish line as possible. However, if they got too close, they risked being disqualified or taking a wrong turn. This led to the phrase "too close to call," which meant that it was difficult to determine the winner of a race until it was over. Over time, the idiom has evolved to mean anything that is uncertain or ambiguous.

Synonyms in English

• In a quandary
• Up in the air
• Unclear
• Indecisive
• Caught between two worlds

Synonyms in other languages

• En français: "en marche" (in progress), "à la dérive" (drifting)
• In Spanish: "en marcha", "en desorden"
• In Italian: "in trasferta", "fuori di serie"
• In German: "in Bewegung", "außerhalb der Reihen"
• In Portuguese: "em movimento", "fora de série"

Similar Idioms

• under siege

• fall out

• knock on wood (touch wood)