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likely
likely story
An exclamation of distrust or disbelief in someone's explanation or story. Albert: "Sorry I'm late. My car broke down half way here!" Sarah: "Yeah, likely story! I bet you just wanted to finish watching the football game on TV."
(that's a) likely story
A phrase used to express disbelief of an excuse or explanation. He said he had to stay late at the office again. That's a likely story—he's probably out with his friends! The cat ate your science project? Likely story.
as likely as not
Probably; most likely. During lunch, you'll find Mrs. Smith preparing lessons in her office, as likely as not.
*likely as not
Fig. probably; with an even chance either way. (*Also: as ~.) He will as likely as not arrive without warning. Likely as not, the game will be canceled.
Not likely.
Inf. That is probably not so; that probably will not happen. Mary: Is it possible that you'll be able to fix this watch? Sue: Not likely, but we can always try. Sally: Will John show up on time, do you think? Bob: Not likely.
as likely as not
probably as like as not She didn't usually work all night, but she was as likely as not to be at the lab at any given time.
A likely story.
something that you say when you do not believe that an explanation is true He claims he thought he was drinking low alcohol lager. A likely story. So he was just giving her a friendly hug because she was upset, was he? That's a likely story if ever I heard one.
in the unlikely event
If something improbable should occur. For example,
In the unlikely event that I'm held up, please cover for me, or
In the unlikely event that we should have snow in May, we're still well equipped to cope with it . Also see under
in case, def. 2.
like as not
Also, as like as not; as likely as not. In all probability, with an even chance, as in Like as not it'll rain by afternoon, or Likely as not the governor will run for a second term. In the first two terms, like is short for likely in the sense of "probably," that is, "It is as likely as it is not likely." [Late 1800s]