all bets are off

phrase

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a future event appears uncertain, especially one that before seemed more certain, and where any prior agreements are no longer valid

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Meanings

phrase
  1. idiomaticIndicates that a future event appears uncertain, especially one that before seemed more certain, and where any prior agreements are no longer valid
  2. broadlyidiomaticAnything can happen; any previous preconceptions about what might happen are dismissed.

Origin

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.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

all bets are off. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/all%20bets%20are%20off

MLA

“all bets are off.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/all%20bets%20are%20off. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “all bets are off,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/all%20bets%20are%20off.

Source: all bets are off on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.