crapshoot

[ krap-shoot ]

noun

1. Informal. anything unpredictable, risky, or problematical; gamble.

verb (used without object)

, crap·shot, crap·shoot·ing.

1. to play craps.
2. Informal. to take risks; gamble.

Word History and Origins

Origin of crapshoot¹

First recorded in 1970–75; crap ² + shoot ¹

Example Sentences

“La Niña can surprise us. It’s still a crapshoot, but firefighters, water managers and farmers would be wise to be prepared.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Restarts can be exciting for people to watch for sure, but they get to be kind of a crapshoot,” Blaney said.

From Seattle Times

And though the draft is always a crapshoot, all teams get a better feel for the market of draftees at the NFL scouting combine, which will be held Feb. 26-March 4.

From Seattle Times

The election will be a mudslinging crapshoot, and America will be the loser.

From Seattle Times

“The reality is the transfer portal, to me it’s a bigger crapshoot than a high school kid,” Fickell said.

From Seattle Times