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All Bets Are Off

What Does "All Bets Are Off" Mean?

homeidiomsAll Bets Are Off
"All bets are off" is an English idiom. It means "the outcome is unpredictable; previous agreements or expectations are nullified."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "all bets are off" used in a sentence:
  • If the star player is injured, then all bets are off for the final match.
  • Once the storm begins, all bets are off regarding our camping trip.
  • If they change the deal now, all bets are off.
meaning for all bets are off

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "All Bets Are Off" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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