bet

someone's best bet

the thing someone should do which is most likely to achieve the result they want. If you want a cheap jacket, your best best is to try the second-hand shops. I told him his best bet would be to get a bus as there are no direct trains.

See also: best

bet the farm/ranch (American)

to spend almost all the money you have on something that you think might bring you success. TV networks are obviously willing to bet the ranch on special sports events - they paid millions to broadcast the Olympics. (often + on)

See also: farm, ranch

Don't bet on it. (informal, informal)

something that you say when you do not think that something is likely to happen or to be true. 'Do you think the builders will finish by Friday?' 'I wouldn't bet on it.'

See also: don't

hedge your bets

to try to avoid giving an opinion or choosing only one thing, so that whatever happens in the future you will not have problems or seem stupid. Journalists are hedging their bets on the likely outcome of the election. (sometimes + on) I decided to hedge my bets by buying shares in several different companies.

How much do you want to bet? (informal, informal)

something that you say when you do not believe that what someone has just said will be true. 'I don't think she'd be stupid enough to lend him any money.' 'How much do you want to bet?'

See also: how, much, want

a safe bet (British, American & Australian, American)

1. something that you are certain will happen. It's a safe bet that those two will settle down and have children. Wheeler is a sure bet for a place on the team.

(British, American & Australian, American)

2. someone or something that you are certain will win or succeed. She is still a safe bet for re-election. Simplicity of design is a sure bet in the fashion world.

See also: safe

You bet your (sweet) ass! (American, very informal!)

something that you say in order to emphasize what you have said. You bet your ass I feel bad about her leaving. You can bet your sweet ass he's guilty!

See also: ass

you can bet your life/your bottom dollar

if you say you can bet your life that something will happen or is true, you mean you are completely certain. You can bet your life she won't apologize.

See also: bottom, can, dollar, life

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bet your life

to be certain that something will happen or be true. You bet your life there are a lot of politicians who are more interested in getting elected than they are in solving problems.

See also: life

(you can) bet on it

it is very likely this will happen or be true. Sales will go up — you can pretty much bet on it — because if there's one thing Americans know how to do, it's shop.

don't bet on it

bet the farm

to risk everything you have because you are certain of something. No matter how confident you are in the future, you should never bet the farm on one idea.

See also: farm

bet the ranch

to risk everything you have because you are certain of success. The program was in trouble, and our feeling was, why bet the ranch on it? She's expecting further gains, but she wouldn't bet the ranch.

See also: ranch

bet your lifeSee at: bet your life

See also: life

don't bet on it

you should not believe this is likely. He says he'll play again next season, but don't bet on it.

(you can) bet on it

See also: don't

hedge your bets

to protect yourself against making the wrong choice. Forecasters were hedging their bets about the storm, saying that it could bring lots of snow, or it could head away from us.

(do you) want to bet

I think you are wrong. “She wouldn't go out with you if you paid her.” “Want to bet?”

Usage notes: often used with how much: “No bank would be stupid enough to lend him any money.” “How much do you want to bet?”

See also: want

you bet

I agree. “I think people in that neighborhood are snobs.” “Oh, you bet.”

you bet your (sweet) ass

for sure

for certain

you bet your (sweet) ass

yes. Do I have any complaints? You bet your ass I do.

Usage notes: used to emphasize your agreement with something

for sure

for certain

you bet

See also: ass

you (can) bet your bottom dollar

you can be very sure. If there's anything he can sue you for, you can bet your bottom dollar you'll be in court.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of bottom dollar (= your last bit of money, which you would not risk losing)

See also: bottom, dollar