Beyond a shadow of a doubt

[1404] It's anyone's guess

🎲 Your guess is as good as mine
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • Means that nobody knows the answer or the outcome; the situation is completely unpredictable or uncertain.

Origin

  • A straightforward idiom likely emerging from common speech.
  • The idea is that since no one has any special knowledge or insight, one person's guess about the outcome is just as valid (or invalid) as anyone else's.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Nobody knows
  • Your guess is as good as mine
  • It's up in the air
  • The jury is still out
  • Who knows?
  • God only knows (Informal, emphasizes complete lack of knowledge)
  • Toss-up (Specifically for two equally likely outcomes)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Who the hell knows?
  • Beats me (Means 'I don't know')
  • Search me (Means 'I don't know')
  • No clue
  • Fuck knows (Vulgar, UK/Aus commonality)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • Your guess is as good as fucking mine
  • Not a fucking clue

Milder/Formal:

  • It remains uncertain
  • The outcome is unpredictable
  • It is difficult to say

Situational Appropriateness

  • Appropriate for informal and semi-formal situations where uncertainty is being discussed.
  • Avoid if a definite answer is expected or required, as it explicitly states lack of knowledge.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Fairly straightforward idiom. Ensure listeners understand it means *nobody* knows, not that they should literally ask anyone for a guess.

Examples

  • Will the stock market go up or down next week? It's anyone's guess.
  • Who will win the election is anyone's guess at this point.
  • When the repairs will finally be finished is anyone's guess.

Dialogue

Anna: Do you think this rain will stop before the picnic starts?

Ben: Honestly, it's anyone's guess. The forecast keeps changing every hour.

Anna: True. Maybe we should think about a backup plan, just in case.

Ben: Good idea. Better safe than sorry when the weather is this unpredictable.

Social Media Examples

  • Tweet: Will crypto rebound this year? It's anyone's guess. #Crypto #Investing #Uncertainty
  • Facebook Poll Question: When will things get back to 'normal'? A) Soon B) Next Year C) It's anyone's guess
  • Forum Post: Trying to predict the final plot twist in this show is impossible. It's anyone's guess!

Response Patterns

  • Agreement: Yeah, impossible to say.
  • Sharing one's own guess (while acknowledging the uncertainty): Well, my guess would be...
  • Expressing frustration at the uncertainty: I wish we knew!

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After hearing It's anyone's guess:

  • People might speculate together: What do you *think* might happen?
  • Discuss the factors contributing to the uncertainty.
  • Decide to wait and see, acknowledging prediction is futile.

Conversation Starter

  • No.
  • Usually a response to a question about a future outcome or an unknown fact.

Intonation

  • Often said with a slight shrug in the voice, indicating uncertainty or lack of knowledge. Emphasis typically on anyone's. It's ANYONE'S guess.

Generation Differences

  • Common and understood across all generations.

Regional Variations

  • Widely used and understood in all major English-speaking regions.
Beyond a shadow of a doubt
🎲 Your guess is as good as mine