coin flip
coin flip — 名詞
1. a simple way of making a choice between two things by throwing a coin into the a
擲硬幣決定
靠投擲硬幣隨機選擇的方式
a simple way of making a choice between two things by throwing a coin into the air and checking which side lands facing up
The two friends used a coin flip to decide who would pay for lunch.
那兩個朋友用擲硬幣決定誰要付午餐的錢。
coin flip + to-infinitive for selecting between two options
A coin flip determined which team would play on the main court.
一場擲硬幣決定了哪一隊要在主球場比賽。
Kian and Aoi let a coin flip choose the movie they watched that night.
Kian 和 Aoi 靠擲硬幣來選擇那晚要看的電影。
Before the race, the referee settled the lane assignments with a coin flip.
比賽開始前，裁判用擲硬幣解決了跑道的分配。
When neither friend wanted to go first, a coin flip broke the tie.
兩個朋友都不想先上場時，擲硬幣打破了僵局。
- coin toss
Interchangeable with 'coin flip', more common in British English.
- drawing straws
Another random method, but uses straws instead of a coin.
文法句型
coin flip + to-infinitive
用法筆記
This sense refers to the physical act of spinning a coin in the air. When used figuratively for an uncertain situation, see sense 2.
常見錯誤
2. a situation in which the result could go either way because both possibilities a
五五波
結果難以預測的局面
a situation in which the result could go either way because both possibilities are equally likely
With the two candidates so close in the polls, the election was a coin flip.
兩位候選人支持率如此接近，這場選舉根本是五五波。
noun phrase describing an unpredictable outcome
The basketball game was a coin flip until the final buzzer sounded.
那場籃球賽到最後的蜂鳴器響起之前都是五五波。
It was a coin flip whether the package would arrive before the holiday.
包裹能不能在假期前送達，真的是五五波。
For a new restaurant, success or failure can feel like a coin flip.
對一間新餐廳來說，成敗往往是五五波。
Aoi knew the job interview was a coin flip between her and one other person.
Aoi 知道那份工作的面試是她跟另一個人之間的五五波。
- toss-up
The closest synonym, used in the same contexts. Slightly more common in American English.
- 50-50 chance
Emphasizes the equal probability more than the method. Can be used as an adjective or noun.
- anyone's guess
More informal and suggests even less certainty about the outcome.
- sure thing
A result that is almost certain, the opposite of a 50-50 situation.
- foregone conclusion
A result that everyone expects, removing all uncertainty.
文法句型
it is a coin flip + whether-clause
用法筆記
Used when discussing predictions, competitions, or risky decisions. Often follows the pattern 'it is a coin flip whether + clause'.