Toss-up

Meaning

The idiom "toss-up" means that it is a decision that could go either way or it is uncertain which option will be chosen. It is often used to describe a situation where there are two or more equally favorable options and the person making the decision cannot determine which one to choose.

Usage

• "I can't decide between these two job offers. It's a toss-up."
• "Whether it rains or shines tomorrow, we'll have to make do. It's a toss-up."
• "She's an excellent candidate for the position, but we have two other strong contenders. It's a toss-up."
• "The jury is still out on whether to try him for murder or manslaughter. It's a toss-up."
• "I don't know if I should go to the beach or the park today. It's a toss-up."

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom "toss-up" is not entirely clear, but it is thought to have originated in the 16th century. One theory suggests that it comes from the practice of flipping a coin to determine which team would play first in a game. Another theory suggests that it comes from the tossing of dice or cards to decide the outcome of a game or bet. Over time, the idiom has come to be used in a wider range of contexts to describe any situation where there are two equally favorable options and the decision is uncertain.

Synonyms in English

• "Flip a coin"
• "50-50 chance"
• "Indecisive"
• "Undecided"
• "A toss-up between two choices"

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: "Llevar a cabo un azar" (to carry out a random decision)
• French: "La décision est inscrite dans la boîte enveloppe" (the decision is written in an envelope)
• German: "Es ist ein Stichwechsel" (it's a toss-up)
• Italian: "È un affare di venti e mezzo" (it's a toss-up)
• Dutch: "De beslissing is op een doek gemaakt" (the decision is written on a cloth)

Similar Idioms

• tear-jerking

• take a back seat

• tide over