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even money

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even money

Equal odds or likelihood of some outcome or event happening or not. Taken from a gambling wager of 1:1, in which the bettor stands to win or lose equal amounts of money on the outcome. I've been training all year, but my opponent is exceptionally tough, so I'd say it's even money as to who will win. The rail system is so poor here that it's usually even money whether the train will arrive or not.

See also: even, money

even money

Equal odds that something will occur, as in It's even money that he'll get the contract. The term comes from gambling, where it signifies equal odds in a bet. [Late 1800s]

See also: even, money