guess

an educated guess

a guess that is likely to be correct because you have enough knowledge about a particular subject. Scientists can do no more than make educated guesses about future climate changes.

be anybody's guess

if a piece of information is anybody's guess, no one knows it. Why Becky left is anybody's guess. 'So what's going to happen now?' 'That's anybody's guess.'

keep someone guessing

if you keep someone guessing, you do not tell them what you are going to do or what will happen next. The clever and complex plot kept the audience guessing right up to the superb final twist.

See also: keep

no prizes for guessing something (British & Australian)

something that you say when it is very easy to guess something. No prizes for guessing who Neil wants to ask to the party. (usually + question word)

second-guess someone/something

1. to try to guess what will happen or what someone will do. It's not for us to second-guess the court's decision - we'll just have to wait and see.

(American & Australian)

2. to criticize someone's actions or an event after it has happened. It's easy to second-guess the team's coach - but let's face it, he made big mistakes.

Your guess is as good as mine. (informal)

something that you say when you do not know the answer to a question. 'How long do you think this job will take?' 'Your guess is as good as mine.'

See also: good, mine

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guess what

this will surprise you. I want more for my son than a career running a photocopying machine, and guess what — so does my son.

Usage notes: often said for emphasis before telling someone something that is not really surprising at all

I guess so

probably or possibly. “Are you ready to leave?” “Yeah, I guess so.”

Usage notes: said instead of saying yes to suggest you are not completely sure

something is anyone's guess

no one knows the answer. How the lawsuit will turn out is anybody's guess. At that point, whether he was dead or alive was anyone's guess.

keep someone guessing

to not let someone know what will happen next. Right up to the last minute the movie keeps you guessing about whether the astronauts will make it home.

See also: keep

keep you guessing

to cause you to be uncertain. I really enjoy a good mystery story that keeps me guessing the whole time.

See also: keep

your guess is as good as mine

I do not know the answer to that question. If you want to know why she left me, well, your guess is as good as mine.

See also: good, mine