tossup
Americannoun
-
the tossing of a coin to decide something by its fall.
-
an even choice or chance.
It's a tossup whether they'll come or not.
Etymology
Origin of tossup
First recorded in 1740–50; noun use of verb phrase toss up
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
By the time fear is baked into prices, though, it’s at best a tossup whether buying energy stocks, or selling other ones, makes sense.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026
The reopening has begun, and this should quicken the pace for a potential December rate cut, which is now seen as essentially a 50-50 tossup according to the FedWatch tool provided by CME.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 14, 2025
Political analysts rate the district, stretching from the outskirts of New York City into the heart of Nassau County’s affluent suburbs on Long Island, as a tossup.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 1, 2023
Powell noted in the press conference that it is a tossup as to whether the Fed raises rates or holds steady in September.
From Reuters • Jul. 28, 2023
It was a tossup what to do—the smart thing was to call the precinct right then and there; but I couldn't help feeling that that would make the Leopards clam up hopelessly.
From The Day of the Boomer Dukes by Emshwiller, Ed
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
