bet1 verbbet2 noun
betbet1 /bet/ ●●● S1 verb (past tense and past participle bet, present participle betting) 
VERB TABLE
bet
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | bet |
| he, she, it | bets | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | bet |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have bet |
| he, she, it | has bet | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had bet |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will bet |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have bet |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am betting |
| he, she, it | is betting | |
| you, we, they | are betting | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was betting |
| you, we, they | were betting | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been betting |
| he, she, it | has been betting | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been betting |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be betting |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been betting |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- I'll bet that made her mad!
- Albert bowed over the girl's hand - Caro would bet it wasn't his wife.
- Crumwallis - I would bet - was sexually attracted, whether he understood that himself, or not.
- Fun and exciting, you bet, but is this the way to the Super Bowl?
- I bet he had the fish cakes.
- I bet you taste real good Ram.
- It became an offence for anyone in charge of children to allow them to bet in public places or to enter brothels.
- Should your management bet the company on a high-risk business strategy?
- Yeah, he says, I bet you a dollar.
THESAURUS
to try to win money, for example by playing cards or guessing which horse will win a race: · Eddie loved to gamble, and would spend most evenings at the roulette table.· A growing number of people are gambling online.
to try to win money by guessing who will win a race or game: · He liked to smoke, drink, and bet on horses.· Jerry bet $1000 on the game.· We had a bet on the Irish team to win.
to gamble £10, $20 etc on the horse or team that you think will win a race or competition: · I put $100 on the Cowboys to win.
British English informal to gamble a small amount of money, especially on the result of a horse race – used especially when someone does not gamble very often: · I’m not a heavy gambler, but I like to have a flutter from time to time.· I had a little flutter on the Grand National and won £5.
to gamble money on the result of a game which you are playing: · ‘Are we playing for money here, gentlemen?’ he said as he approached the pool table.· You’re allowed to play cards in the bar, but not for money.
to gamble money on a particular horse, team etc that you think will win a race or competition: · When I back a horse, it always seems to finish second.
Longman Language Activatorwhat you say when you guess something spoken say this when you are telling someone what you think has probably happened or will probably happen: my guess is (that): · My guess is that they've been delayed in a traffic jam.· My guess is she'll move back to the States after the divorce.
spoken say this when you are fairly sure that something is true or something is happening, although you cannot prove this: · He'll be really pleased to see you, I bet!I bet (that): · Come and sit down, I bet you're exhausted.· I bet that the meeting will be cancelled again.
spoken say this when you are guessing a number or amount and you have not checked it exactly: · Off the top of my head, I think that the figure is about 25%.· "What's the painting worth?" "Three million or so," he said, off the top of his head.
when you feel sure about something if you are sure about something, you believe that it is definitely true or correct: · 'The car was a BMW' 'Are you sure?'sure (that): · I'm surprised she isn't here - I was sure she would come.· Are you quite sure that he understood your instructions?sure about: · I think children are influenced by these films, but it's impossible to be sure about this.sure of: · You need to be sure of your facts before making any accusations.pretty sure: · I'm pretty sure Barbara still works here.absolutely sure: · We do not believe this is the body of the missing girl, but we have to check to be absolutely sure.
completely sure that something is true: certain (that): · Are you certain you didn't leave your keys at home?certain about: · He was certain about one thing - she would come back one day.certain of: · She won't let you borrow the car - I'm certain of that.absolutely certain: · Don't stop looking until you're absolutely certain you've found the place you want.
especially spoken completely sure that something is true - use this especially when other people are saying it might not be true: · "Are you sure you locked the door?" "Yes, I'm positive."positive (that): · She said she was positive the exam was next Tuesday.absolutely positive: · I'm absolutely positive I haven't made a mistake.
sure that something is true, even when you cannot prove it: convinced (that): · We've had no news of him, but we're convinced he's still alive.· She became convinced that her boyfriend was seeing someone else.convinced of: · Brown's wife was convinced of his innocence.
to be so certain about something that there are no doubts in your mind: have no doubt (that): · I've no doubt that his story is true.have no doubt about/of: · My boss told me he had no doubt about my abilities as a salesman.
to have a strong feeling that something is right or true, although there may be nothing to prove: know (that): · Sally knew that she and Carl would be the best of friends.· I just know your mother will love this necklace.· As soon as the phone rang, we knew something terrible must have happened.know it: · She's going to pass -- I just know it!
sure that you know the truth about something that has happened, because you have enough information: satisfied (that): · Police are now satisfied that her death was an accident.
sure that something good will happen, or that you will be able to achieve what you want: · ''Do you think you'll win tomorrow's game?'' - ''Well, we're all feeling pretty confident''.confident (that): · Doctors are confident that he'll make a full recovery.confident of: · A spokesman said the government was confident of winning the vote and would not discuss the possibility of defeat.
spoken informal say this when you feel sure that something is true: I bet (that): · I bet you're tired after such a long journey.· I bet she hasn't told her parents about this.
especially spoken if you say that something must be true or must have happened, you are sure about it, because of information you have or things you have noticed that make it seem very likely: · You must remember Sally Newton. She was in our French class.must have: · Kim didn't answer when I called - she must have gone to bed.· She didn't get into movies just because her mother was a famous actress, but it must have helped.
especially spoken if you say that something can't be true or can't have happened, you are sure that it is not true or has not happened: · He says he's 21 but he can't be older than 18.can't have: · She can't have gone to bed yet - it's only 8 o'clock.· If you failed that exam you can't have worked very hard.
you say I'd put money on it when you are so sure of something that you would be willing to take the chance of losing money if you were wrong: · "Do you really think the president will win again?'' "I'd put money on it.''
WORD SETSback, verbbank, nounbanker, nounbet, verbbet, nounbid, verbbingo, nounbookie, nounbookmaker, nouncasino, nounchip, nouncroupier, noundividend, noundraw, nouneach way, adverbfruit machine, noungamble, verbgaming, nounlottery, nounodds, nounofftrack, adjectiveone-armed bandit, nounparimutuel, nounplace, verbraffle, nounraffle, verbroulette, nounslot machine, nounstakeholder, nounsweepstake, nountombola, nountout, verbwager, nounwager, verb
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
Few states allow offtrack betting. I had no idea which horse I should place a bet on.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
Few states allow offtrack betting. I had no idea which horse I should place a bet on.· You know, I bet you a hundred dollars you won't sleep with me.· Yeah, he says, I bet you a dollar.· You can bet your bottom dollar on that!· Investors and traders who had bet the dollar would fall had placed such orders to limit their losses.
· Soros made his fortune by setting up pools of wealthy investors who bet huge sums on global markets.· With a minimal investment, investors can bet whether almost the entire market will rise or fall.· Many investors had bet heavily in recent months that a balanced-budget agreement would have already been passed by now.
· While Cooley bets his intellectual life upon inquiry that depends upon such methods, these strategies for learning may fall away.· You bet your life she was.· Laybourne essentially bet the young life of Oxygen on this decision.
· I would have bet money she was high on something.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► you (can) bet your life/your bottom dollar► bet the farm/ranch► you bet!► (do you) want to bet?/wanna bet?PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► put/bet/stake your shirt on something
1[intransitive, transitive] to risk money on the result of a race, game, competition, or other future event: - Come and sit down, I bet you're exhausted.
- He'll be really pleased to see you, I bet!
- I bet she hasn't told her parents about this.
- I bet that the meeting will be cancelled again.
- I bet you're tired after such a long journey.
- Ever since he got ill - for nearly a week, I bet.
- Jealous of her. I bet it really got him going seeing my little pink dimples bobbing up and down there.
- My dentist would laugh at me, I bet.
- P.S. I bet you won't print this.
- Why, I bet you never had the slightest intention of following through last night, did you?
- Yes, there was something in there and I bet myself it would be Jo's emerald pendant.
- Maybe he's really a nice guy, but I wouldn't bet on it.
- It's a good idea to hedge your bets by applying to more than one college.
- Dealers on the foreign exchange markets were also hedging their bets and the pound was also on ice.
- However, that has not stopped the cable companies from hedging their bets by getting into the satellite business, too.
- I made a decision, or rather I hedged my bets.
- Maybe, I tell myself, I was really hedging my bets.
- Not surprisingly, Whitehall has been hedging its bets with officials preparing briefs to cover a variety of eventualities.
- Now, what will we have to hedge our bets on?
- Pat Hayes, a 10-year plant veteran at the age of 30, has already begun to hedge her bets.
- Still, it always is wise to hedge our bets about the future.
How much do you want to bet?bet (somebody) that He bet me £10 that I wouldn’t do it.bet (something) on something She bet all her money on a horse that came last.bet against I wouldn’t bet against him winning the championship this year.2I bet/I’ll bet spoken a)used to say that you are fairly sure that something is true, something is happening etc, although you cannot prove this: Bet you wish you’d arrived earlier. I bet you she won’t come. b)used to show that you understand or can imagine the situation that someone has just told you about: ‘God, I was so angry.’ ‘I bet you were.’ ‘It makes things much easier.’ ‘Yeah, I’ll bet it does.’ c)used to show that you do not believe what someone has just told you: ‘I’m definitely going to give up smoking this time.’ ‘Yeah, I bet!’3you bet! spoken used to emphasize that you agree with someone or are keen to do what they suggest: ‘Going to the party on Saturday?’ ‘You bet!’4(do you) want to bet?/wanna bet? spoken used to say that you think something that someone has just said is not true or not likely to happen: ‘I’m sure Tom’ll be here soon.’ ‘Wanna bet?’5don’t bet on it/I wouldn’t bet on it spoken used to say that you do not think something is likely to happen: He said he’d finish by tomorrow, but I wouldn’t bet on it.6you (can) bet your life/your bottom dollar spoken used when you are sure that you know what someone will do or what will happen: You can bet your bottom dollar he won’t be back.7bet the farm/ranch American English informal to risk everything that you own: Do we really want to bet the ranch on this deal?bet1 verbbet2 noun
betbet2 ●●● S3 noun [countable] WORD ORIGINbet2
Origin:
1500-1600 Perhaps from abet ‘support, help’ (14-16 centuries), from abet ‘to help’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a $50 bet
- A: Your best bet is to change your behavior and wait it out.
- Balvinder jumped up and down, punched the air, then promptly confronted the man with whom he had made the bet.
- Digges argued that the Watch was way off, as was the island, and offered to lay odds on the bet.
- Each of us invested ten shillings and we met to decide our bets.
- He blamed an October snowstorm in Denver for losing a $ 500 bet on the Broncos.
- Ira Sanchez offered a bet and the bookie took it on the nod.
- The highest yields are from a risky bet, while security means a lower rate of interest.
- With our last two food dollars he placed still another bet and lost.
Longman Language Activatorcertain to win or succeed
if someone is destined to do or become something, they will certainly do it or become it, especially something that will make them famous or admired: · She was convinced that her little boy was destined to become President.· Clara worked in a factory and sang in clubs at weekends - but even then you could tell that she was destined to become a star.
formal to be certain to get something good or to be successful: · After the success of its recent single, the band is now assured of a contract with a major record company.· Our clients are assured of comfortable accommodation and the attention of our trained staff.
spoken informal use this to say that someone or something will definitely win or succeed: · I'm betting on Sceptre. He's a dead cert to win the Gold Cup.
spoken use this to say that something or someone will definitely be successful: · We've been through the plan a dozen times. It can't go wrong.· Just follow the instructions and you can't go wrong.
spoken informal use this to say that you will certainly get something you want, or something you want will certainly happen, because you have almost got it or it has almost happened already: · You're bound to get Bill's job when he leaves - it's in the bag.be in the bag: · If we win the next game, the championship's in the bag.
use this to say that it is almost certain something will happen because of what you know of the situation: · I told my friends it was a sure thing, and they bet every last penny on that horse of yours.it's a safe bet/it's a sure bet/it's a sure thing (that): · If the President supports him it's a sure bet that he'll get a seat in Congress.· As it was the first concert of the season it was a safe bet all the critics would be there.
a foolproof plan or method is one that is certain to work and be successful: · A pasta book is a foolproof gift for anyone who cooks.foolproof method/system/plan etc: · The new speech recognition system is not absolutely foolproof, but it is a huge breakthrough.· The gang hit on a seemingly foolproof way of getting drugs into the country.
a particular way of dealing with something an action or several actions which could be taken in order to deal with a particular situation: · The best course of action would be to speak to her and tell her the whole story.· One possible course of action is to increase taxes on alcohol and tobacco.· Jim didn't want to start an argument, so agreeing seemed to be the safest course.
a particular way of dealing with a problem, difficult situation, or job: · The company needs to adopt a much more radical approach.approach to: · Each of the delegates suggested a different approach to the problem.· the government's aggressive approach to the question of homelessness
one of several ways that you could choose in order to deal with a problem or a difficult situation: · Working full-time may not be your best option.· What other options do I have?only option (=the only thing you can do): · Our only option now is to contact the police.no option (=no other way of dealing with something): · These people have no option but to take low-paid unattractive work.environmental/nuclear/political etc option: · As for replacement fuels, many people do not like to contemplate the nuclear option.
spoken the best way of dealing with something: · For getting around the city centre, a bicycle's your best bet.somebody's best bet is to do something: · We decided that our best bet was to leave him where he was and go and get help.
what you say when you expect something to happen especially British /I guess especially American · Hasn't Tony arrived yet? He'll be here soon, I expect.I expect (that) · I expect your mother will be overjoyed when she hears you're having a baby.I expect/guess so · "Is Alan going to drive tonight?" "Yeah, I guess so."
informal use this to introduce something that you expect to happen because of what you know about someone or about the way things usually happen. I bet is more common than my bet is: I bet/my bet is (that): · I bet you'll miss your boyfriend when you go away for college.· Sandra says she's never going to have any children, but my bet is she has at least three.
use this when you have a feeling that something is going to happen, especially something bad or unpleasant: · You'll find Rick's parents rather hard to talk to, I suspect.I suspect (that): · I suspect that 10 years after the book is published, nobody will even remember the name of the author.
especially British also I should think British use this when you think something is likely to happen although you are not really sure: · It'll be cooler down by the lake, I would think.I would think (that): · I should think Sarah and Greg will be going to the party.I would/should think so: · "Will you have finished work by 6.30?'' "Oh yes, I should think so.''
say this when you think something may happen, even though other people think it is unlikely: · "Do you think they'll get married?" "I wouldn't be surprised."I wouldn't be surprised if: · You know, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the top executives lose their jobs.
formal use this to introduce something that you expect to happen because of information that you have: · My expectation is that the two companies will eventually come to an agreement.
to gamble to try to win money, for example by playing cards or guessing which horse will win a race: · Eddie loved to gamble, and would spend most evenings at the roulette table.gamble away something/gamble something away (=waste a lot of money by gambling): · Roger gambled away all his money in a Las Vegas casino.· She inherited $50,000 but gambled it away.
when you try to win money, for example by playing cards or guessing which horse will win a race: · Is gambling legal here?· Your Uncle Maury has a gambling problem.· Crane admits that he is addicted to gambling.· He was against the introduction of a National Lottery as he thought it might encourage gambling.
to try to win money by guessing who will win a race or game: · I don't bet very often.bet on something/have a bet on something (=gamble money on the result of a race or game): · We usually have a bet on the Grand Prix.· Rogers was not much of a gambler. When he bet on the horses, he almost always lost.bet £10/$100 etc on something: · Jerry bet $1000 on the game.place a bet (=say which horse, team, competition etc you want to gamble on and pay the money that you want to gamble): · I've placed a bet on a horse in the next race.· All bets must be placed before the start of the race.
to gamble £10, $20 etc on the horse or team that you think will win a race or competition: · I put $20 on the Cowboys to win.· He put £50 on Middlesborough to beat Manchester United at odds of 3-1.put a bet on something (=gamble on a horse, game etc): · I think I'll put a bet on the next race.
to gamble money on a particular horse, team, or person that you think will win a particular competition: · We backed a horse named Travelling Light that finished first at 10-1.back something/somebody to win something: · Uncle Barry backed Arsenal to win the FA Cup.
to gamble money on the result of a game which you are playing, for example cards: · "Are we playing for money here, gentlemen?" he said as he approached the pool table.· You're allowed to play cards in the bar, but not for money.
British informal to gamble a small amount of money, especially on the result of a horse race - use this especially about someone who does not gamble very often: · I'm not a heavy gambler, but I like to have a flutter from time to time.have a flutter on: · I had a little flutter on the Grand National and won £5.
to lose money by not guessing correctly the result of a game, race, or competition: · He claims that he lost the money on a dice game.· I lost a lot of money on the dogs last night.
to win money by correctly guessing the result of a game, race, or competition: · I heard that he won a lot of money on the Superbowl a few years ago.
WORD SETSback, verbbank, nounbanker, nounbet, verbbet, nounbid, verbbingo, nounbookie, nounbookmaker, nouncasino, nounchip, nouncroupier, noundividend, noundraw, nouneach way, adverbfruit machine, noungamble, verbgaming, nounlottery, nounodds, nounofftrack, adjectiveone-armed bandit, nounparimutuel, nounplace, verbraffle, nounraffle, verbroulette, nounslot machine, nounstakeholder, nounsweepstake, nountombola, nountout, verbwager, nounwager, verb
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs Few states allow offtrack betting. I had no idea which horse I should place a bet on.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· Are you going to have a bet on the race?
· She placed a bet on a horse called Beethoven.
(=accept someone's money as part of a bet)· They're taking bets on the result of the election now.
· France won the game and I won my bet.
· If I have a bet, I always lose it.
(=risk money on the way a situation will develop in future)· If you want to make money on the stock market, you have to start making bets.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Few states allow offtrack betting. I had no idea which horse I should place a bet on.· He. wanted to make a big bet on it.· Berghuis avoids making big bets in a single industry, choosing instead to spread his risks.· Many managers of similar funds are unwilling or not allowed to make very big bets on a particular market sector.· Accordingly, big bets could be made.
· As soon as a board attempts to interfere with management tasks it's a fair bet that profits will decline.· And I got on at 50-1 immediately after that race, and had a fair bet.· Since they're not, it's a fair bet that they show something she doesn't want you to know.· It is a fair bet that this suspicion is right.
· Even if you spend more and risk recurring sticker shock, the place is a good bet to tranquilize you.· Extreme surfer and skateboard styles are still a best bet.· Held's road-focused 2080 gloves recently won a recommendation from RiDE magazine, so may be a better bet.· Still, if a well-equipped sporty car is in your heart, the fifth-generation Prelude probably is a good bet.· Udal could emerge as the best bet of all.· A better bet for performance is the smaller 190, with the optional 2.5-litre diesel instead of the usual 2-litre version.· I spotted a carton that seemed to be a good bet.
· Above all, remember that there is no such thing as a safe bet.· If you are determined to cultivate fruits, then the safest bets are berry bushes and nut trees.· The supermodels are a safe bet and, in times of recession, that is what matters.· Or is Paul Parker a safer bet?· It was always a safe bet, of course, that Hillsborough would be just about the least dangerous place in Britain yesterday.· You can't have a safer bet than that!· But Nintendo looks a safer bet.· He may not fancy it, but it's a safe bet that he would be the first man to do it.
· As Patrick O'Brien proved, maritime adventures are always a sure bet for landlubber readers.· A bill to let workers carry health insurance coverage from one employer to another should be a sure bet to become law.· At 38, he seemed a sure bet to become a towering figure of popular music.
VERB· Not surprisingly, Whitehall has been hedging its bets with officials preparing briefs to cover a variety of eventualities.· However, that has not stopped the cable companies from hedging their bets by getting into the satellite business, too.· Dealers on the foreign exchange markets were also hedging their bets and the pound was also on ice.· Now, what will we have to hedge our bets on?· I made a decision, or rather I hedged my bets.· Still, it always is wise to hedge our bets about the future.· Maybe, I tell myself, I was really hedging my bets.· Pat Hayes, a 10-year plant veteran at the age of 30, has already begun to hedge her bets.
· One of the orderlies, in defiance of the Prophet, began to lay bets.· Digges argued that the Watch was way off, as was the island, and offered to lay odds on the bet.· And millions of pounds are laid in bets over the three days of the most colourful event in the racing calendar.· People read the New York Post and laid bets on whatever game was to be played that evening.· Nicholas Young laid over £10m-worth of bets in five years - at least a third of it with other people's money.· I laid a small bet with myself that he couldn't get beyond level two of Super Mario Brothers.· He laid a small bet with himself that Fishbane had been responsible for giving her this photo-opportunity.· A crowd had come then to stare and cheer and lay bets - with the man Randall.
· Son-shine boy looks a real Bonny bet!· He now looks a good bet to go through to the next stage of the competition tomorrow.· Despite the presence of the unbeaten Daarik, Montendre looks the best bet at York.· But Nintendo looks a safer bet.· This race gave McCallen one of his five wins last year, and looks his best bet for an action replay victory.· I was chided for implying in last month's notes that Somerset looked rather a better bet than Gloucestershire.· In town, this becomes tiresome and the £359 optional power assistance looks a good bet.
· But if they were gambling on becoming a regional force, they seem to have lost the bet.· He blamed an October snowstorm in Denver for losing a $ 500 bet on the Broncos.· Steve Jobs lost his bet that the Macintosh would be finished before Lisa.
· Balvinder jumped up and down, punched the air, then promptly confronted the man with whom he had made the bet.· Thousands of others raced back at halftime to make additional proposition bets.· I made some bets and they came good.· But when the game was over, we found out that the guy who made the bet put his money on Cincinnati.· That makes them a good bet if you travel with a laptop computer.· He. wanted to make a big bet on it.· There are lots of ways to make the same bet.· And behind him, a hundred people lamented and laughed and made bets and dreamed.
· He placed the bet by messenger.· About half the normal amount of trades took place as traders were reluctant to place bets ahead of the long weekend.· Sam would place bets on the horses for him, as Dad was unable to write a slip, nor comprehend form.· A trader placed bets in the markets on behalf of Salomon Brothers.· The only way you can place a cash bet is with a bookmaker on Saturday.· With our last two food dollars he placed still another bet and lost.· Like every shrewd politician, Michael Heseltine has placed a two-way bet.· He dialed what I gathered to be his bookie and placed two bets of five pounds each on horses racing that day.
· Incredibly, it seems they stopped taking bets on Whaddon finishing bottom way before Christmas.· At 38, he seemed a sure bet to become a towering figure of popular music.· Our subjective judgement of what seems like a good bet is irrelevant to what is actually a good bet.· Solar desalination plants, though requiring a great emphasis on cash rather than labour, seem the best long-term bet here.
· The time has not yet come to take bets on which of our neighbours will swallow us up.· He wanted to take back the bet just to keep from getting entangled.· Sometimes they took bets on the heights or depths of things and the location of things and the number of things.· Equilibrium is everything to sportsbook operators, who look to make money by taking a commission on bets.· I would take another bet that the response of the core countries would be protectionist.· I would take a sizable bet that the coming months are going to be most interesting ones.· Incredibly, it seems they stopped taking bets on Whaddon finishing bottom way before Christmas.
· He has slept in graveyards since being a boy and six years ago slept in a coffin to win a bet.· San Francisco won the game, but he won the bet because the Bengals covered with the points.· He recalls with obvious pleasure winning a bet by eating 11 raw eggs.· Anyone who has noticed recent elections knows that Alan won that bet.· But beware playing this with Really Nasty addicts - they will probably take advantage of your Christmas hangover to win huge bets.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► put/bet/stake your shirt on something
1an agreement to risk money on the result of a race, game etc or on something happening, or the money that you risk: - It was this book that Rincewind had once opened for a bet.
- For getting around the city centre, a bicycle's your best bet.
- We decided that our best bet was to leave him where he was and go and get help.
- Well, your best bet would be to go back to Highway 218 and turn left.
- The earrings seemed like a good bet for a birthday present.
- Cohen says companies like PictureTel have improved transmission quality, making video conferencing a better bet than in years past.
- Even if you spend more and risk recurring sticker shock, the place is a good bet to tranquilize you.
- It was always a safe bet, of course, that Hillsborough would be just about the least dangerous place in Britain yesterday.
- Only a few months ago he had looked like a good bet.
- Still, if a well-equipped sporty car is in your heart, the fifth-generation Prelude probably is a good bet.
- That makes them a good bet if you travel with a laptop computer.
- The supermodels are a safe bet and, in times of recession, that is what matters.
- As soon as a board attempts to interfere with management tasks it's a fair bet that profits will decline.
- He may not fancy it, but it's a safe bet that he would be the first man to do it.
- Since they're not, it's a fair bet that they show something she doesn't want you to know.
- I made a decision, or rather I hedged my bets.
- Maybe, I tell myself, I was really hedging my bets.
- It's a good idea to hedge your bets by applying to more than one college.
- Dealers on the foreign exchange markets were also hedging their bets and the pound was also on ice.
- However, that has not stopped the cable companies from hedging their bets by getting into the satellite business, too.
- I made a decision, or rather I hedged my bets.
- Maybe, I tell myself, I was really hedging my bets.
- Not surprisingly, Whitehall has been hedging its bets with officials preparing briefs to cover a variety of eventualities.
- Now, what will we have to hedge our bets on?
- Pat Hayes, a 10-year plant veteran at the age of 30, has already begun to hedge her bets.
- Still, it always is wise to hedge our bets about the future.
a £50 betbet on A few of us had a bet on who’d get married first.place/put/lay a bet We placed bets on three horses. Bookmakers are already taking bets on the outcome.win/lose a bet If he scores now, I’ll win my bet.2your best bet spoken used when advising someone what to do: Your best bet is to put an advert in the local newspaper. The train might be a better bet.3a good/safe bet an action or situation that is likely to be successful or does not involve much risk: If you’re looking for long-term growth, the government’s own saving certificates are a pretty good bet. → hedge your bets at hedge2(2)4it’s a safe/sure/fair bet (that) spoken used to say that something seems almost certain: I think it’s a pretty safe bet that he’ll get the job.5my bet spoken used when saying what you expect to happen in the future: My bet is he’ll be back this time next week.6do something for a bet to do something stupid, dangerous etc to win money from someone or to prove that you can do it: He climbed the tree for a bet.COLLOCATIONSverbshave a bet· Are you going to have a bet on the race?place/put/lay a bet on something· She placed a bet on a horse called Beethoven.take a bet (=accept someone's money as part of a bet)· They're taking bets on the result of the election now.win a bet· France won the game and I won my bet.lose a bet· If I have a bet, I always lose it.make a bet (=risk money on the way a situation will develop in future)· If you want to make money on the stock market, you have to start making bets.