Idioms

likely

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(that's a) likely story

A phrase used to express disbelief of an excuse or explanation. He said he had to stay late at the office again. That's a likely story—he's probably out with his friends! The cat ate your science project? Likely story. Car trouble, that's a likely story—Kevin's always late, no matter what.
See also: likely, story

as likely as not

Probably; most likely. During lunch, you'll find Mrs. Smith preparing lessons in her office, as likely as not. Emma's a real bookworm—as likely as not, you'll find her curled up with a book on a Friday night. As likely as not, we'll just have to pay a fine since we're first time offenders.
See also: likely, not

like as not

Probably; most likely. Emma's a real bookworm—like as not, you'll find her curled up with a book on a Friday night. I'm hoping to get there before dinner, but with trains being so delayed lately, like as not it'll be closer to bed time.
See also: like, not

likely as not

Probably; most likely. During lunch, you'll find Mrs. Smith preparing lessons in her office, as likely as not. Likely as not, we'll just have to pay a fine since we're first time offenders.
See also: likely, not

likely story

An exclamation of distrust or disbelief in someone's explanation or story. Albert: "Sorry I'm late. My car broke down half way here!" Sarah: "Yeah, likely story! I bet you just wanted to finish watching the football game on TV."
See also: likely, story

not bloody likely

Definitely not. Used to emphatically indicate that one completely refuses or disagrees. A: "Are you going to Jen's party this weekend?" B: "Not bloody likely! She's been a total jerk to me lately." Help him, after all the trouble he's given me? Ha, not bloody likely!
See also: bloody, likely, not

not likely

Definitely not. Used to emphatically indicate that one completely refuses or disagrees. A: "Are you going to Jen's party this weekend?" B: "Not likely! She's been a total jerk to me lately." Help him, after all the trouble he's given me? Ha, not likely!
See also: likely, not
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

*likely as not

Fig. probably; with an even chance either way. (*Also: as ~.) He will as likely as not arrive without warning. Likely as not, the game will be canceled.
See also: likely, not

Not likely.

Inf. That is probably not so; that probably will not happen. Mary: Is it possible that you'll be able to fix this watch? Sue: Not likely, but we can always try. Sally: Will John show up on time, do you think? Bob: Not likely.
See also: likely, not
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

in the unlikely event

If something improbable should occur. For example, In the unlikely event that I'm held up, please cover for me, or In the unlikely event that we should have snow in May, we're still well equipped to cope with it . Also see under in case, def. 2.
See also: event, unlikely

like as not

Also, as like as not; as likely as not. In all probability, with an even chance, as in Like as not it'll rain by afternoon, or Likely as not the governor will run for a second term. In the first two terms, like is short for likely in the sense of "probably," that is, "It is as likely as it is not likely." [Late 1800s]
See also: like, not
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.

not likely

People say not likely as an emphatic way of saying no, especially when they are asked to do something. Clear up his mess for him? Not likely!
See also: likely, not
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

a likely story

used to express disbelief of an account or excuse.
See also: likely, story

not likely!

certainly not; I refuse. informal
See also: not
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

(as) like as ˈnot

,

like eˈnough

,

most/very ˈlike

(informal) quite/very probably: As like as not, he’ll be late. He usually is.
See also: like, not

as ˌlikely as ˈnot

,

most/very ˈlikely

very probably: As likely as not she’s forgotten all about it.
See also: likely, not

a ˈlikely story

(spoken, ironic) used for showing that you do not believe what somebody has said: They said they’d found the wallet on the ground outside the pub — a likely story!
See also: likely, story

not (bloodytaboo, etc.) ˈlikely!

(spoken, especially British English) used to disagree strongly with a statement or a suggestion: Sign a blank cheque for you? Not bloody likely!
See also: not
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
See also:
References in periodicals archive
The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is likely to remain neutral during the month of June.
2-3 rain spells likely in second half of June: Met office
Least likely: To do a trial without a full face of make-up.
YOUR JUNGLE FILES... ALL THE GOSS AS THE STARS GET READY FOR I'M A CELEBRITY
The poll found also found the biggest liabilities for presidential candidates: 51% percent of respondents said they would be less likely to vote for an atheist for president, 42% said they would be less likely to vote for a Muslim candidate, 41% said they were less likely to vote for a candidate who has personal financial troubles.
Americans Prefer Jewish President to Evangelical One
You are likely to take some positive steps to conserve money.
FOCUS ASTRO
Clearly, with the rising number of people with diabetes this is likely to have an effect on already-stretched A&E departments.
One in five people admitted to hospital for angina, stroke, heart attack or heart failure have diabetes, according to a new report published today
Women were more likely to give birth naturally but did have slightly longer labours of, one average, an extra 30 minutes.
Midwives making a difference
(But there's) quite likely to be a delayed start to play.
Rain may play spoilsport on opening day of India-Oz Boxing Day Test
Hypernetworkers were an adjusted 79% more likely to have tried alcohol, 69% more likely to be current binge drinkers, and 32% more likely to be current users of marijuana.
Hypertexting teens face greater health risks
They were 2.5 times more likely to indicate they had made a suicide attempt, 92% more likely to report feeling depressive sadness, 2.5-fold more likely to have engaged in deliberate self-harm without suicidal intent, 2.2-fold more likely to report feeling a high level of stress, and 3.4-fold more likely to characterize themselves as having an eating disorder.
Hypertexting by teens Linked to increased health risks
Overweight girls (those in the 85th-95th percentile for body mass) were 60% more likely to report having sex before age 13 years, 30% more likely to report more than three lifetime sexual partners, 18% less likely to say they used condoms, and 33% less likely to say they used contraception, compared with normal-weight girls, Dr.
Overweight teens more prone to risky sexual behaviors
They may also be more likely to have high blood pressure, diabetes and blood clots, according to the study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
Migrane could show risk of stroke
WOMEN who have had just one miscarriage are more likely to suffer complications in future pregnancies, research suggests today.
Women told of pregnancy risk
Victims of domestic violence, especially women, are more likely to have chronic health conditions, including heart disease and asthma, according to a report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Victims of domestic violence, especially women, are more likely to have chronic health conditions, including heart disease and asthma, according to a report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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