a toss-up
a toss-up
A situation in which the outcome cannot be predicted or a decision between two things is very close. I don't know which team will win. Both have done so well this season that it's a real toss-up. Should I take the entry level position, or go back to school? It's really a toss-up in my mind.
toss up
1. Literally, to throw someone or something lightly in an upward direction. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "toss" and "up." The group took turns tossing people up in the air. The performer tossed up several balls at once and began juggling them effortlessly.
2. To hang something up, especially very quickly or casually. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "toss" and "up." The council can't simply toss up some warning signs around the city and expect the problem to go away on its own. She asked if she could toss some campaign posters up in the school hallways.
3. To publish something online, especially very quickly or casually. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "toss" and "up." I just tossed up a new entry on my blog, if you're interested in reading it. We're tossing some new items up on our online shop for everyone to enjoy!
4. To bring up or put forward something, especially in a casual or offhand manner. The famous singer tossed up the possibility of getting the band back together. Sarah tossed up an interesting idea during the meeting this morning that we'd like to pursue.
5. To bring about, stir up, or give rise to something. The incident has tossed up a lot of speculation about the legality of the company's overseas activities. The announcement is tossing up questions and concerns among employees.
6. To turn or raise a part of one's body in an upward direction very quickly. Used as an expression of some acute negative emotion. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "toss" and "up." The boss tossed his eyes up in annoyance as Jim began complaining about the parameters of the project again. She tossed her hands up in despair after trying for over an hour to repair the engine.
7. To cook or prepare some dish or meal, especially very quickly or casually. I tossed up a simple Thai green curry for dinner. Why don't you just toss some sandwiches up for everyone? You don't need to go to any more trouble than that.
8. slang To vomit something, especially very suddenly or violently. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "toss" and "up." The boat began to rock violently back and forth, and I felt like I was going to toss up my dinner. Don't give the kids any more candy. I don't want them tossing it up on the car ride home.
See also: toss, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
toss something up
to throw something upward to a higher place or up into the air. He tossed the coin up, calling "heads" and hoping for the best. He tossed up the coin.
See also: toss, up
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
toss up
v.
1. To throw something into the air: The graduates tossed up their hats in celebration. The referee tossed the ball up for the tip-off.
2. Sports To execute some type of throw or a throw with some outcome: The quarterback tossed up a Hail Mary pass. The basketball player tossed a three-pointer up.
3. To flip a coin to decide an issue: Let's toss up to see who goes first.
See also: toss, up
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
toss-up
n. a matter of chance. (As predictable as the outcome of the toss of a coin.) Nobody knew what to do. It was a toss-up.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
- be careful what you wish for(, it might (just) come true)
- it ain't over till/until it's over
- it's not over till it's over
- reckon upon (someone or something)
- it's not over till/until the fat lady sings
- it ain't over till/until the fat lady sings
- it ain't/it's not over till the fat lady sings
- it isn't over till the fat lady sings
- it isn't over till/until the fat lady sings
- it isn't over until the fat lady sings