Sometimes, we don’t know what will happen next. You might feel unsure before a test or when you’re waiting to hear news. This feeling is called uncertainty. People use special sayings called idioms to talk about it. Idioms are phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words say. They help us talk about feelings in fun or creative ways.
In this article, you’ll learn about idioms people use when they feel unsure or confused. These idioms are common and easy to understand. They can help you explain your feelings better. Whether it’s a moment at school or something at home, idioms for uncertainty can help you say what you mean. Let’s explore them together.
Idioms for Uncertainty
1. Up in the air
Meaning: Not decided yet.
Within a Sentence: Our weekend plans are still up in the air. / The teacher said the test date is up in the air.
In Other Words: Not sure yet / Not fixed
2. In limbo
Meaning: Stuck in a place of not knowing what will happen.
Within a Sentence: We’re in limbo until the school calls back. / I feel in limbo waiting for the tryout results.
In Other Words: Waiting without answers / Not clear
3. On the fence
Meaning: Not sure what choice to make.
Within a Sentence: I’m on the fence about joining the team. / She’s on the fence about the new movie.
In Other Words: Can’t decide / Not sure
4. In the dark
Meaning: Not having enough information.
Within a Sentence: I’m in the dark about our trip. / He was in the dark about the surprise party.
In Other Words: Don’t know / Not told
5. Touch and go
Meaning: Could go either way, unsure outcome.
Within a Sentence: It’s touch and go if the game will happen in the rain. / The race was touch and go until the end.
In Other Words: Not certain / Could change
6. A gray area
Meaning: Something not clearly right or wrong.
Within a Sentence: That rule is a gray area. / The homework excuse is a gray area.
In Other Words: Not clear / Not black or white
7. Flip a coin
Meaning: To choose randomly because it’s too hard to decide.
Within a Sentence: Let’s flip a coin to choose the movie. / I had to flip a coin between two clubs.
In Other Words: Decide by luck / Random pick
8. Wait and see
Meaning: Not knowing until something happens.
Within a Sentence: We’ll wait and see if it snows. / Let’s wait and see what the teacher says.
In Other Words: Just have to find out / Not known yet
9. In a fog
Meaning: Confused or unclear.
Within a Sentence: I was in a fog during the math lesson. / She felt in a fog after waking up.
In Other Words: Not clear / Mixed up
10. Shot in the dark
Meaning: A guess without much hope.
Within a Sentence: My answer was a shot in the dark. / He made a shot in the dark on the quiz.
In Other Words: Random guess / Not sure
11. At a crossroads
Meaning: Unsure which path or choice to take.
Within a Sentence: I’m at a crossroads about switching schools. / She’s at a crossroads in her soccer journey.
In Other Words: Can’t choose yet / Stuck between options
12. Second-guess yourself
Meaning: To doubt your own decision.
Within a Sentence: I second-guessed myself after the spelling test. / He’s second-guessing picking that book.
In Other Words: Unsure / Doubting
13. Playing it by ear
Meaning: Deciding what to do as things happen.
Within a Sentence: We’ll play it by ear if it rains. / I’m playing it by ear on lunch plans.
In Other Words: Make it up as you go / No set plan
14. Toss-up
Meaning: It could go either way.
Within a Sentence: It’s a toss-up who will win the race. / The result is a toss-up right now.
In Other Words: 50/50 / Either way
15. Walking on thin ice
Meaning: In a risky or unsure situation.
Within a Sentence: He’s walking on thin ice by skipping homework. / I felt like I was walking on thin ice with the group.
In Other Words: Taking chances / Could go wrong
16. Skating on thin ice
Meaning: Just like #15, taking risks with unsure results.
Within a Sentence: She’s skating on thin ice by being late again. / I’m skating on thin ice with my grades.
In Other Words: Danger of trouble / Risky
17. Between a rock and a hard place
Meaning: Two hard choices with no easy answer.
Within a Sentence: I’m between a rock and a hard place with my chores or homework. / He’s stuck between a rock and a hard place at school.
In Other Words: Bad either way / No easy option
18. In a pickle
Meaning: In a tricky or confusing situation.
Within a Sentence: I’m in a pickle with my missing report. / She got in a pickle when her ride didn’t show up.
In Other Words: In trouble / Stuck
19. Anyone’s guess
Meaning: No one really knows.
Within a Sentence: When the power will come back is anyone’s guess. / It’s anyone’s guess what she’ll say.
In Other Words: Nobody knows / Not sure
20. A coin toss
Meaning: Uncertain, could go either way.
Within a Sentence: Picking a favorite book was a coin toss. / The game was a coin toss until the last second.
In Other Words: Either way / No clear choice
21. Foggy idea
Meaning: Not a clear thought or plan.
Within a Sentence: I have a foggy idea about what to write. / His plan is still a foggy idea.
In Other Words: Not sure yet / Vague
22. Leave it open-ended
Meaning: Don’t make a decision yet.
Within a Sentence: We’ll leave it open-ended for now. / The group left the project open-ended.
In Other Words: Decide later / Not closed
23. Iffy
Meaning: Uncertain or not reliable.
Within a Sentence: The weather looks iffy today. / That plan sounds iffy.
In Other Words: Not solid / Might not happen
24. Split decision
Meaning: A choice with no clear winner.
Within a Sentence: It was a split decision between tacos and pizza. / The judges had a split decision.
In Other Words: Even vote / No clear answer
25. On shaky ground
Meaning: In a weak or unsure spot.
Within a Sentence: I’m on shaky ground with my science project. / Their plan is on shaky ground.
In Other Words: Not solid / Might fall apart
26. The jury is still out
Meaning: A decision hasn’t been made yet.
Within a Sentence: The jury is still out on the new rule. / We don’t know jury’s still out.
In Other Words: Still deciding / No answer yet
27. In question
Meaning: Not certain if it’s true or will happen.
Within a Sentence: The field trip is in question because of the storm. / His spot on the team is in question.
In Other Words: Might not happen / Not sure
28. Hard to call
Meaning: Difficult to choose or guess.
Within a Sentence: This contest is hard to call. / It’s hard to call who’s winning.
In Other Words: Not clear / Could go either way
29. Sitting on the fence
Meaning: Not picking a side.
Within a Sentence: She’s sitting on the fence about joining. / I’m sitting on the fence about lunch.
In Other Words: Not choosing / Undecided
30. Not set in stone
Meaning: Something can still change.
Within a Sentence: Our plans are not set in stone. / The date is not set in stone yet.
In Other Words: Can change / Not final
31. Playing both sides
Meaning: Not choosing one side or opinion.
Within a Sentence: He’s playing both sides to stay out of trouble. / She’s playing both sides in the group.
In Other Words: Not picking / Staying in the middle
32. Could go either way
Meaning: The result is unsure.
Within a Sentence: The test could go either way. / The score could go either way at this point.
In Other Words: Not sure / Both are possible
33. Blow hot and cold
Meaning: Keep changing your mind.
Within a Sentence: He blows hot and cold about joining the play. / She blows hot and cold with her lunch choice.
In Other Words: Can’t decide / Always switching
34. Riding the fence
Meaning: Like sitting on the fence, not making a choice.
Within a Sentence: I’m riding the fence on this new rule. / She’s riding the fence about which game to play.
In Other Words: Not choosing / Waiting to decide
35. Cloudy judgment
Meaning: Can’t think clearly.
Within a Sentence: His anger gave him cloudy judgment. / I had cloudy judgment when I was tired.
In Other Words: Confused / Not thinking well
36. In the balance
Meaning: The result is still unknown.
Within a Sentence: The game’s in the balance. / Her grade is in the balance right now.
In Other Words: Not decided / Could change
37. Up for debate
Meaning: People are still arguing or thinking about it.
Within a Sentence: That idea is still up for debate. / The best book is up for debate.
In Other Words: Not agreed on / Still talking
38. In flux
Meaning: Changing a lot, not stable.
Within a Sentence: The schedule is in flux right now. / My plans are in flux this weekend.
In Other Words: Changing / Not settled
39. Undecided
Meaning: No choice made yet.
Within a Sentence: I’m still undecided about the science fair. / She’s undecided on dessert.
In Other Words: Haven’t picked / Waiting
40. On the bubble
Meaning: Almost in or out; not sure yet.
Within a Sentence: I’m on the bubble for the spelling team. / He’s on the bubble to be picked.
In Other Words: Almost / Not certain
41. Hanging in the air
Meaning: Not answered or settled.
Within a Sentence: That question is still hanging in the air. / The teacher’s idea was left hanging in the air.
In Other Words: Waiting / Not closed
42. It remains to be seen
Meaning: We’ll know later.
Within a Sentence: It remains to be seen if we’ll go. / Her choice remains to be seen.
In Other Words: Not sure yet / Wait and see
43. Up for grabs
Meaning: Available but not chosen yet.
Within a Sentence: The last seat is up for grabs. / That role in the play is up for grabs.
In Other Words: Not picked / Still open
44. Guessing game
Meaning: No one knows for sure.
Within a Sentence: It’s a guessing game when he’ll arrive. / Picking a winner is a guessing game.
In Other Words: Unclear / Not known
45. Blurred lines
Meaning: Hard to tell the difference.
Within a Sentence: There are blurred lines between jokes and truth. / The rules have blurred lines.
In Other Words: Mixed up / Not clear
46. In a haze
Meaning: Confused or unsure.
Within a Sentence: I was in a haze during the lesson. / She was in a haze after waking up.
In Other Words: Not focused / Unclear
47. Nothing is certain
Meaning: Everything can change.
Within a Sentence: With weather, nothing is certain. / In games, nothing is certain.
In Other Words: Anything can happen / Not fixed
48. Could swing either way
Meaning: The result could be good or bad.
Within a Sentence: The vote could swing either way. / His mood could swing either way.
In Other Words: Not steady / Not known
49. Still in the air
Meaning: Not decided or done.
Within a Sentence: Our party plans are still in the air. / The time for dinner is still in the air.
In Other Words: Not set / Still planning
50. Still mulling it over
Meaning: Still thinking.
Within a Sentence: I’m still mulling over the project topic. / She’s mulling it over before saying yes.
In Other Words: Not decided / Thinking
51. On hold
Meaning: Waiting before doing something.
Within a Sentence: The club is on hold for now. / Our call was put on hold.
In Other Words: Delayed / Not now
52. Wait it out
Meaning: Stay put until you know.
Within a Sentence: Let’s wait it out before we go. / We’ll wait it out for the weather to clear.
In Other Words: Be patient / Wait and see
53. Unsettled
Meaning: Not fixed or stable.
Within a Sentence: The plans are unsettled. / My mind feels unsettled about this.
In Other Words: Not sure / Not steady
54. All over the place
Meaning: No clear direction.
Within a Sentence: My thoughts are all over the place. / The ideas were all over the place.
In Other Words: Mixed up / Not focused
55. TBD (To Be Determined)
Meaning: Not known yet.
Within a Sentence: The game time is TBD. / Our group name is still TBD.
In Other Words: Decided later / Unknown now
56. Cloud of doubt
Meaning: Feeling unsure.
Within a Sentence: A cloud of doubt hung over me during the test. / He felt a cloud of doubt about his answer.
In Other Words: Not confident / Unsure
57. No clear answer
Meaning: The answer isn’t obvious.
Within a Sentence: There’s no clear answer to the riddle. / We had no clear answer on what to do.
In Other Words: Still guessing / Not sure
58. Still working it out
Meaning: Trying to figure things out.
Within a Sentence: We’re still working out the party details. / I’m still working it out in my head.
In Other Words: Not finished / Still thinking
59. Pending
Meaning: Waiting to be done or known.
Within a Sentence: My request is still pending. / The prize is pending the final score.
In Other Words: On hold / Waiting
60. Can’t put a finger on it
Meaning: Know something is off but not sure what.
Within a Sentence: I can’t put a finger on what feels wrong. / She can’t put a finger on the answer.
In Other Words: Unsure / Confused
Idioms for Uncertainty – True/False Quiz
- If something is “up in the air,” that means it is already decided.
True / False - Saying you’re “on the fence” means you’re unsure what choice to make.
True / False - A “shot in the dark” means a very well-planned guess.
True / False - “In limbo” means everything is clear and set.
True / False - “Flip a coin” can be used when you want to pick something randomly.
True / False - If someone has “cloudy judgment,” it means they are thinking very clearly.
True / False - “Toss-up” means it could go either way.
True / False - “Sitting on the fence” means you are running out of time.
True / False - “Wait and see” means to make a quick decision.
True / False - “In the dark” means not knowing what’s going on.
True / False - “Walking on thin ice” means you’re in a safe, easy situation.
True / False - Saying “anyone’s guess” means many people already know the answer.
True / False - “On hold” means something is delayed or paused.
True / False - If plans are “not set in stone,” they can still change.
True / False - “Guessing game” means everything is clear and known.
True / False
Answer Key
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- True
- False
Scoring Guide
- 15 Correct Answers: Idioms Master!
- 10–14 Correct Answers: You really get Idioms, nice work!
- 6–9 Correct Answers: You’re learning, keep going!
- 0–5 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about Idioms together!
Conclusion
Uncertainty is something we all feel sometimes. Whether you’re waiting to make a choice or don’t know what will happen, idioms can help you talk about it in a simple way. They add meaning to your words without making things hard to understand.
Now that you know these idioms, try using them when you’re unsure about something. You can use them at home, in class, or with friends. These little phrases can help you share your thoughts clearly even when you don’t have all the answers yet.
