- Means I don't know either; it implies that the person asking the question likely knows just as much (or as little) as the person answering.
Explanation
Origin
- A common idiomatic phrase, similar in concept to It's anyone's guess.
- It directly states that the knowledge level of the asker and answerer regarding the topic is probably equal, meaning neither knows the definitive answer.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Dunno (Don't know)
- Got me (Means 'You've got me stumped')
- Not a clue
- How should I know? (Can sound slightly defensive)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Fuck if I know
- How the fuck should I know? (Defensive/aggressive)
Milder/Formal:
- I'm afraid I don't know either
- I possess no further information on that
- That information isn't available to me
Situational Appropriateness
- Very common in informal and semi-formal conversations.
- Less appropriate in situations where the person *should* know the answer (e.g., an employee asked about store hours by a customer).
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Very straightforward idiom, unlikely to be misunderstood in context.
Examples
- Person A: What time does the movie actually start? Person B: Your guess is as good as mine. The website just says 'evening'.
- Person A: Why did they make that strange decision? Person B: Your guess is as good as mine.
- When will the package arrive? Your guess is as good as mine.
Dialogue
Student A: Do you have any idea what's going to be on the final exam?
Student B: Your guess is as good as mine. Professor Johnson has been really vague about it.
Student A: Yeah, true. I guess we just have to study everything then.
Student B: Looks like it. Good luck!
Social Media Examples
- Reply to a Tweet asking When is the update dropping?: Your guess is as good as mine, they haven't announced anything specific.
- Forum Comment: Q: Why did the server crash? A: Your guess is as good as mine. Logs aren't showing anything obvious.
- Chat Message: Friend: Think they'll cancel school tomorrow? Me: ygagà m (common abbreviation) depends on the snow overnight.
Response Patterns
- Acceptance of the shared lack of knowledge: Okay, guess we'll just have to wait and see.
- Shared speculation: Well, maybe it's because...
- Frustration: Urgh, I hate not knowing!
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After hearing the phrase:
- The conversation might move to speculating together.
- Someone might suggest trying to find the information elsewhere.
- Often, the topic is dropped due to the acknowledged lack of information.
Conversation Starter
- No.
- It's exclusively a response to a question when the answer is unknown.
Intonation
- Usually said with a tone of shared uncertainty or slight helplessness. Can have a shrug-like quality. Emphasis often on yours and mine. YOUR guess is as good as MINE.
Generation Differences
- Extremely common and understood by all generations.
Regional Variations
- Used universally across English-speaking regions.