believe it or not
set phrase Used before a statement that may seem shocking or untrue. 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!"
BION
An initialism of "believe it or not," a set phrase used before a statement that may seem shocking or untrue. Used especially in online communications, such as forums, social media, instant messaging, etc. I'm so sorry for such a late reply, but BION I only just read your message now! I have been so busy that I haven't had a chance to check SpaceBook all week. A: "Hey wat u up 2?" B: "thinkin of U, BION :-)" BION the longer route's actually quicker bc there's less traffic so take Cedar Ave.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
believe it or not
(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.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
beˌlieve it or ˈnot
(spoken) it is true, even though it does not sound likely: Believe it or not, I’ve just won £1000 in a competition! ♢ I am still, believe it or not, very nervous about speaking in public.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
Believe it or not
and BION sent. & comp. abb. That’s the story; you can choose to believe it or not believe it. That’s what really happened, Believe it or not. I’m l8t! BION.
BION
verbMcGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
believe it or not
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.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer