Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
anyone's guess
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesTable of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
59 human-written examples
It's anyone's guess, frankly.
News & Media
After that, it's anyone's guess.
News & Media
Otherwise, it's anyone's guess.
News & Media
The father – who knows – it's anyone's guess.
News & Media
That's anyone's guess.
News & Media
It's anyone's guess.
News & Media
On MySpace, it's anyone's guess.
News & Media
So it's anyone's guess what happens".
News & Media
And then it's anyone's guess.
News & Media
Right now, it's anyone's guess.
News & Media
It's really anyone's guess.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Pair the phrase with a preceding clause that defines the scope of the uncertainty, such as "What the final cost will be is "anyone's guess"."
Common error
Avoid using redundant intensifiers like "completely anyone's guess" or "totally anyone's guess". The phrase already implies a total lack of certainty, so adding adverbs of degree can make the writing feel cluttered or hyperbolic.
Source & Trust
93%
Authority and reliability
4.9/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
In the examples provided by Ludwig, "anyone's guess" functions as a predicative noun phrase, typically following the verb "to be". It acts as a complement that describes the subject as being unknown or unpredictable. It is often preceded by introductory pronouns like "it" or "that", as seen in common constructions like "It is "anyone's guess" what happens next".
Frequent in
News & Media
85%
Formal & Business
10%
Science
5%
Less common in
Reference
2%
Wiki
1%
Social Media
1%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "anyone's guess" is a highly effective idiomatic expression used to denote absolute uncertainty. Ludwig examples demonstrate its prevalence in top-tier publications like The New York Times and The Guardian, where it serves to describe unpredictable outcomes in politics, economics, and technology. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically standard and follows a consistent pattern of being used as a subject complement. When using it, ensure the possessive apostrophe is correctly placed. While interchangeable with "anybody's guess", it is preferred in journalistic registers for its punchy and egalitarian tone.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
anybody's guess
Interchangeable synonym using a different indefinite pronoun.
up in the air
Idiomatic expression implying that a matter is still undecided or unresolved.
a toss-up
Suggests a situation where two outcomes are equally likely, like a coin flip.
an open question
Slightly more formal, suggesting a topic that is still being debated.
uncertain
A direct, non-idiomatic adjective describing the state of the situation.
unpredictable
Focuses on the impossibility of knowing the outcome in advance.
hard to tell
Emphasizes the difficulty of perceiving or knowing the truth.
a mystery
Stronger term implying a complete lack of explanation or clues.
unknown
The most basic factual description of the lack of information.
shrouded in uncertainty
A more literary and dramatic way to describe the lack of clarity.
FAQs
What does "anyone's guess" mean?
It is an idiom used to say that a situation is completely uncertain and that no one knows what will happen or what the truth is. It suggests that your guess is as good as a professional's.
Can I use "anybody's guess" instead?
Yes, you can use "anybody's guess" as a perfect synonym. There is no significant difference in meaning or formality between the two.
What is a more formal way to say "anyone's guess"?
In very formal or academic writing, you might prefer phrases like "remains uncertain", "an open question", or "subject to speculation".
Is "anyone's guess" a cliche?
While it is a common idiom, it is not generally considered a tired cliche in journalism. It remains a precise and effective way to describe volatility in news and business contexts.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
93%
Authority and reliability
4.9/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested