Sometimes we don’t know what will happen next. Maybe we feel unsure or confused. To talk about these moments, people use idioms phrases that say something in a fun or creative way. Idioms don’t always mean exactly what the words say, but they help explain feelings better.
In this article, you’ll learn idioms people use when they feel uncertain or don’t have a clear answer. These idioms can help you share when things feel unsure or confusing. Let’s explore 30 idioms for uncertainty!
Idioms for Uncertainty
1. Up in the air
Meaning: Not decided yet.
Samples: Our weekend plans are still up in the air. / The game is up in the air because of the rain.
To Put it Another Way: We don’t know yet. / It hasn’t been decided.
2. On the fence
Meaning: Not sure what to choose.
Samples: I’m on the fence about going to the party. / She’s on the fence about which book to read.
To Put it Another Way: Still deciding. / Can’t choose yet.
3. Touch and go
Meaning: The result is not certain.
Samples: It’s touch and go if we’ll win. / The weather makes the trip touch and go.
To Put it Another Way: Might happen, might not. / We’re not sure yet.
4. In a fog
Meaning: Confused or unclear.
Samples: I’m in a fog today I can’t think clearly. / That question left me in a fog.
To Put it Another Way: I feel confused. / Not thinking clearly.
5. At a crossroads
Meaning: Facing a big choice, not sure which way to go.
Samples: I’m at a crossroads with what to do next. / She was at a crossroads about her project.
To Put it Another Way: I need to choose. / It’s a big decision.
6. Cloud of doubt
Meaning: A feeling that something might not be true or right.
Samples: There was a cloud of doubt about his story. / I felt a cloud of doubt during the test.
To Put it Another Way: Not sure it’s right. / Feels uncertain.
7. In limbo
Meaning: In between, with nothing decided.
Samples: Our plans are in limbo. / The new rules are in limbo right now.
To Put it Another Way: Waiting. / No final answer yet.
8. Flip a coin
Meaning: Decide by chance when you can’t choose.
Samples: Let’s flip a coin to pick the movie. / We flipped a coin to decide who goes first.
To Put it Another Way: Let luck decide. / Pick randomly.
9. In the dark
Meaning: Not knowing what’s going on.
Samples: I’m in the dark about our group project. / She felt in the dark about the changes.
To Put it Another Way: I don’t know what’s happening. / No one told me.
10. Up for grabs
Meaning: Available, but not claimed or decided yet.
Samples: That last seat is up for grabs. / The prize is still up for grabs.
To Put it Another Way: Anyone can get it. / No one has it yet.
11. Shot in the dark
Meaning: A wild guess or try without knowing.
Samples: I took a shot in the dark on the test. / His guess was a shot in the dark.
To Put it Another Way: A guess with no clue. / Trying without knowing.
12. Guessing game
Meaning: A situation where no one really knows.
Samples: Choosing the winner is a guessing game. / This puzzle feels like a guessing game.
To Put it Another Way: Everyone is guessing. / No clear answer.
13. Leave it hanging
Meaning: Not finish something or not make a decision.
Samples: She left the question hanging. / The team left the choice hanging.
To Put it Another Way: Didn’t decide yet. / It’s still waiting.
14. Walk a fine line
Meaning: Be in a tricky spot between two choices.
Samples: He walks a fine line between funny and rude. / I’m walking a fine line in this debate.
To Put it Another Way: It’s hard to choose. / Need to be careful.
15. Gray area
Meaning: A situation that’s not clear or has no right answer.
Samples: That rule is a gray area. / We’re stuck in a gray area with this project.
To Put it Another Way: Not black or white. / It’s not clear what’s right.
16. Up to chance
Meaning: The outcome depends on luck.
Samples: Who wins is up to chance. / It’s up to chance if we make it in time.
To Put it Another Way: No one knows yet. / It’s all about luck.
17. Wait and see
Meaning: Delay action until things are more clear.
Samples: Let’s wait and see what the weather does. / We’ll wait and see if they call back.
To Put it Another Way: Don’t act yet. / See what happens first.
18. Not carved in stone
Meaning: Not final or permanent.
Samples: The plans aren’t carved in stone. / Our idea is not carved in stone yet.
To Put it Another Way: It can still change. / Not a sure thing.
19. Playing it by ear
Meaning: Decide what to do as you go.
Samples: Let’s play it by ear after lunch. / We’re playing it by ear on Saturday.
To Put it Another Way: Make the plan later. / See how it goes.
20. Anyone’s guess
Meaning: No one knows the answer for sure.
Samples: Who will win is anyone’s guess. / It’s anyone’s guess how this ends.
To Put it Another Way: Nobody knows. / A total mystery.
21. Iffy
Meaning: Not sure or uncertain.
Samples: The weather looks iffy today. / His answer was kind of iffy.
To Put it Another Way: Not certain. / Might not work out.
22. Who knows?
Meaning: No one knows the answer.
Samples: Who knows what time we’ll leave? / Who knows how long this will take?
To Put it Another Way: Nobody knows. / We’ll find out.
23. Up in the air like a balloon
Meaning: Still floating around, not decided.
Samples: The party plans are up in the air like a balloon. / The answer’s still up in the air like a balloon.
To Put it Another Way: Not settled yet. / Still deciding.
24. Toss-up
Meaning: Two choices that seem equally likely.
Samples: It’s a toss-up who will win. / That test was a toss-up.
To Put it Another Way: Could go either way. / Both choices seem possible.
25. Blow hot and cold
Meaning: Keep changing your mind.
Samples: He blows hot and cold about joining the club. / She blows hot and cold about the trip.
To Put it Another Way: Not steady. / Keeps changing opinions.
26. Fish out of water
Meaning: Feel awkward or unsure in a new place.
Samples: I felt like a fish out of water at the new school. / He’s a fish out of water in this club.
To Put it Another Way: Feels unsure. / Doesn’t fit in.
27. Not sure which way the wind blows
Meaning: Don’t know what will happen yet.
Samples: We’re waiting to see which way the wind blows. / Not sure which way the wind blows for the contest.
To Put it Another Way: Unsure about the future. / Waiting to see.
28. Second-guess yourself
Meaning: Doubt your choice or decision.
Samples: I second-guessed myself after picking the answer. / Don’t second-guess your hard work.
To Put it Another Way: Wonder if I chose right. / Not feeling sure.
29. Murky waters
Meaning: A confusing or unclear situation.
Samples: We’re in murky waters with this rule. / That homework instruction is murky water.
To Put it Another Way: Not clear. / Confusing and hard to understand.
30. Up in the air without a parachute
Meaning: Completely uncertain and unprepared.
Samples: This project feels up in the air without a parachute. / We’re flying blind and up in the air without a parachute.
To Put it Another Way: Totally unsure and not ready. / We don’t know and can’t control it.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Uncertainty
Story Title: “What Now?”
It was Friday morning, and the class was supposed to go on a field trip, but the weather looked iffy. “Is the trip canceled?” Mia asked. “Who knows?” said her teacher.
The whole class felt in limbo. The plans were up in the air like a balloon. “Should we just wait and see?” asked Liam. “Yes,” said the teacher, “nothing is carved in stone.”
Mia felt like a fish out of water, not knowing what to expect. “It’s a toss-up if we go,” Liam added. Then Jake said, “Let’s not second-guess everything. We’ll know soon.”
Finally, the teacher smiled. “We’re playing it by ear today. If the sky clears up, we’ll go!”
Your Task:
Underline or list all 8 idioms for uncertainty used in the story.
Answer Key
- Iffy
- Who knows?
- In limbo
- Up in the air like a balloon
- Wait and see
- Carved in stone *(used as “nothing is carved in stone”)
- Fish out of water
- Toss-up
Conclusion
Idioms for uncertainty help us explain how it feels when we’re not sure what’s going to happen. Whether you say “up in the air” or “wait and see,” these idioms help others understand your confusion or hesitation.
Using these phrases makes your speaking and writing clearer and more expressive. Try using one of the next time you’re unsure, it’s a fun way to show what you’re thinking!
