Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

all bets are off

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.85 in modern English

Syllables
al-l -bet-s are off
IPA
21
Scrabble Score
13
Letters
4
Syllables
9
Unique Chars

Meaning

phrase

Indicates that a future event appears uncertain, especially one that before seemed more certain, and where any prior agreements are no longer valid

phrase

Anything can happen; any previous preconceptions about what might happen are dismissed.

Etymology

Originally used by sports bookmakers, and in particular horseracing. The bookmaker is not taking any more bets and all existing bets placed on the competition are now null and void. This may have been because the race was cancelled, the starting lineup was substantially changed, or due to an irregularity in the conduct of the race.

Questions

What does all bets are off mean?
Indicates that a future event appears uncertain, especially one that before seemed more certain, and where any prior agreements are no longer valid
Where does all bets are off come from?
Originally used by sports bookmakers, and in particular horseracing. The bookmaker is not taking any more bets and all existing bets placed on the competition are now null and void. This may have been because the race was cancelled, the starting lineup was substantially changed, or due to an irregularity in the conduct of the race.

How to pronounce all bets are off

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “all bets are off”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “all bets are off”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “all bets are off” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.