Idioms

unknown quantity

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an unknown quantity

A person or thing that is unpredictable and thus difficult to anticipate. We're still revising our new product, so its potential success is an unknown quantity. This is her first year teaching, so her ability to connect with her students is still an unknown quantity. I missed that guy's audition, so he's still an unknown quantity to me as a guitar player.
See also: an, quantity, unknown
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

*unknown quantity

Fig. a person or thing about which no one is certain. (*Typically: be ~; become ~.) John is an unknown quantity. We don't know how he's going to act. The new clerk is an unknown quantity. Things may not turn out all right.
See also: quantity, unknown
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

unknown quantity

An unpredictable person or thing, as in We don't know how the new pitcher will do-he's an unknown quantity. This expression comes from algebra, where it signifies an unknown numerical value. Its figurative use dates from the mid-1800s.
See also: quantity, unknown
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.

unknown quantity

a person or thing whose nature, value, or significance cannot be determined or is not yet known.
See also: quantity, unknown
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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References in periodicals archive
estimated the use of 24 gallons diesel fuel for their excavators and an unknown quantity of fuel for transportation of debris, equipment and laborers.
The new demolition: a case study compares deconstruction to traditional demolition and examines how both practices approach the recycling of scrap wood
Her nomination presents a largely unknown quantity to the Senate for confirmation.
Senators reserve verdict on Miers
Just moved from the Federal Reserve Board to chair the Council of Economic Advisers, Ben Bernanke is an unknown quantity to his new colleagues.
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Organisak, a Pittsburgh native, is hardly an unknown quantity at the PDC.
NEW DIRECTOR FOR PITTSBURGH DANCE COUNCIL
Barrow is even more of an unknown quantity, but has also impressed Wrexham with efficient work he has done during spells with Wigan and Chester.
7-UP REVEALED: SHORTLIST FOR NEW DRAGONS' MANAGER
They know what they can do, but they are an unknown quantity to others.
Assimilating New Leaders: The Key to Executive Retention
A new CEO means that everyone in the organization, with the exception of executive secretaries, is in the same position as any new hire: an unknown quantity who has to prove he or she can and will do what the CEO wants, the way the CEO wants it done.
Surviving a new CEO
Among these collections were The Ruling Passion (1901), The Blue Flower (1902), The Unknown Quantity (1912), The Valley of Vision(1919), and The Golden Key (1926).
Van Dyke, Henry
For years, cosmologists have debated whether the amount of mass in the universe -- still an unknown quantity -- is more likely to favor the first scenario or the second.
Astronomy
One limitation of putting fluff back into an extruder with conventional in-line recylcing systems is that the fluff is an unknown quantity and cannot be calculated precisely.
Gravimetrics aid fluff/pellet metering
Her other novels include The Dark Garden (1933), The Glass Slipper (1938), The Sisters (1944), Five Passengers from Lisbon (1946), Never Look Back (1951), Unknown Quantity (1953), Man Missing (1954), Melora (1959), Jury of One (1960), Run Scared (1963), Witness at Large (1966), Murder in Waiting (1973), The Patient in Cabin C (1983), and A Fighting Chance (1986).
Eberhart, Mignon (Good) (1899- )
The pair stole an unknown quantity of cash before fleeing shortly before 10pm on Saturday.
Hammer threat by shop robbers; NEWS BRIEFING
The unknown quantity is what will Arsenal look like post Wenger.
ARSENAL v MAN CITY; BOOKIES v BETTING BOYS; William Hill's Joe Crilly gives his verdict on the weekend's big games, but those fabulous Betting Boys are looking to take him on..and take his money.
They threatened staff in the store and made off with an unknown quantity of cash.
Armed pair threaten staff with a knife; IN BRIEF
He arrived as a bit of an unknown quantity to many people but leaves us having made a real impression on the club."
Hull allow Fonua to leave
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