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

The race is considered a toss-up by various organizations that rate political contests across the country. — Jack Fink, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Tom Brenner | Getty Images The most competitive races for control of the House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm election may be toss-ups on the political map. — Luke Fountain,gabriel Cortés, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026

All 435 House of Representatives seats are up for election, with 37 considered competitive, 21 of them toss-ups, by the Cook Political Report — a respected polling analysis site. — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Of the 35 Senate seats up for election in 2026, 21 of them have no debate scheduled between the major candidates including toss-up races in Ohio and Texas. — Diana Paulsen, ABC News, 25 Sep. 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