believe it or not

A set phrase used before a statement that may seem shocking or untrue. It is often used humorously or sarcastically. Believe it or not, the longer route is actually quicker because there's less traffic. I'm not a chef, believe it or not, so if you want something else for dinner, make it yourself! A: "Did you really make the basketball team?" B: "Believe it or not, I did!"

(you may) choose to accept something as true or not; it may seem amazing but it's true. It's late, but believe it or not, I just got home from work. I'm over fifty years old, believe it or not.

It's true, whether or not you agree, as in Believe it or not, I finally finished painting the house. Originating in the 1800s, this phrase gained currency as the title of a cartoon series begun in 1918 by Robert Ripley and continuing to run in American newspapers long after his death in 1949. Each drawing presented a strange but supposedly true phenomenon, such as a two-headed chicken.

Appearances to the contrary, it is true. Already a common phrase by then, in December 1918, it became the title of a cartoon series originally drawn by Robert LeRoy Ripley (1893–1949). It appeared in American newspapers for many years and was continued even after Ripley’s death. Each drawing represented a seemingly unbelievable but allegedly true event or phenomenon, such as a two-headed chicken or a three-legged cat.