a coin toss

a coin toss

1. Literally, the act of throwing a coin into the air, with the outcome of something dependent on which side of the coin lands face-up. We figured the fairest way was to do a coin toss to see who should keep Dad's old stamp collection. All right, we'll do a coin toss. Heads, I get to ride up front—tails, you get to ride up front. OK, whoever wins this coin toss has to go out and get the groceries. Heads or tails?
2. By extension, a situation in which two outcomes, usually opposites, are equally likely and will be decided by chance. At this point, it's really just a coin toss whether we'll be able to recoup our costs from this project or not. A: "Come on, we all know it’s a coin toss that Mom and Aunt Megan will get into a fight at dinner." B: "I don't know, they've been getting along lately." Traditionally, Kevin's always running late, but he's been more punctual lately, so I guess it's a coin toss whether he shows up on time or not.
See also: coin, toss
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

a coin toss

AMERICAN
If you describe a something as a coin toss, you mean that there is an equal chance of either of two things happening. Will he play well or will he play badly? It's always a coin toss with him. It's a coin toss as to whether you're going to see a legal challenge.
See also: coin, toss
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
See also:
References in periodicals archive ?
But with no alternative date available, the teams had to choose between a coin toss or bowl-out.
Bowl-out blow to Staffs' trophy hopes
We expected a coin toss and both clubs would've been happy playing at each other's ground."
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Both parties agreed to settle the tie through a coin toss. Beronio, the incumbent mayor, however, did not show up for the toss, sending his brother as his representative.
Coin toss decides Palawan town's mayoral race
A coin toss Friday morning awarded the fourth and final open Bensenville Elementary District 2 seat to James Stoltman.
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A coin toss to decide who kicks off is a requirement under the Laws of the Game but McNamara left his coin in the dressing room and allowed the captains to play rock, paper, scissors to determine kick off and playing ends, the BBC reported.
FA suspend referee for using rock, paper, scissors to decide kick-off
Unable to come to an agreement over a reserved women's seat in the Balochistan Assembly, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Balochistan National Party (BNP) have decided to leave it to chance with a coin toss. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a notification on 10 of the 11 seats reserved for minority and women in the Balochistan Assembly, with the decision on one of the seats is yet to be made.
PTI, BNP to decide reserved Balochistan seat over flip of a coin
A tie between two candidates is usually decided by a coin toss.
Coin toss decides Naga SK poll winner
Two athletes for Team USA tied for the opportunity to carry the flag during the ceremony so a coin toss was used to decide which of them would have the honor, (http://www.cnn.com/2018/02/08/sport/shani-davis-olympic-flag-bearer-trnd/index.html?sr=twCNN020818shani-davis-olympic-flag-bearer-trnd1038AMStory) CNN reported .
Team USA's Erin Hamlin Named 2018 Olympic Flag Bearer Despite Controversy
And, based on what they reported in two follow-up surveys over a six-month period, the nudge of a coin toss was just what these participants needed.
To change, or not to change? Just flip a coin
Stuart Lancaster's team lost a coin toss to Fiji, their opponents on September 18, and so must use their all-red kit (worn by Alex Corbisiero, left) with a new 3D injection moulded red rose.
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BIRMINGHAM City scored a moral victory over deadly rivals Aston Villa today when they won the right to stage their FA Cup fourth round tie on their preferred date - with a coin toss.
City victory over Villa in Cup coin toss
A D-DAY hero whose life was saved by a coin toss in World War Two has been awarded France's highest honour.
Hero survived war thanks to toss of coin
Having failed to complete their second-round match against Bradford League Pudsey Congs and being unable to stage a bowl-out because of heavy rain, a coin toss was carried out by competition officials.
Scholes win on toss of coin; Sport briefs
The third-place tie from Saturday's women's 100 meters probably will be broken by a run-off or a coin toss before the U.S.
Run off, or coin toss, will break tie
"I think it might be a little different than using a coin toss with England - and it didn't work that well for me last time anyway!" Wigglesworth and Neil de Kock had shared the scrum-half duties at Saracens all season and when it came to the Premiership final the management could not choose between them.
Wigglesworth ready to grasp his chance
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