toss-up

noun

ˈtȯs-ˌəp 

ˈtäs-

1

: something that offers no clear basis for choice

2

: toss sense 1c

3

: an even chance

Examples of toss-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Fabrizio previously urged Republicans to campaign on lowering prescription drug prices, finding in an April 2025 poll that the issue could give GOP candidates in toss-up districts a 20-point boost. — Gabe Kaminsky, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026

Seven rated the South Carolina race as tilt, lean, or likely Republican, while three rated it a toss-up. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 10 Nov. 2026

Other Democratic candidates, such as Mark Burrows, who won his state House election, and Jamie Ager, a fifth-generation farmer, who flipped the toss-up 11th Congressional District, also focused on Helene’s difficult recovery. — Brianna Sacks, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2026

The contest to represent the northwestern Ohio district anchored by Toledo was considered by the Cook Political Report to be a toss-up before the election prognosticator changed its rating to Leans Democrat a week before Election Day. — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for toss-up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup

Kids Definition

toss-up

noun

-ˌəp

: something that offers no clear choice

it's a toss-up who will win