bet

bet¹ S1 [bet] v past tense and past participle bet present participle betting

1.) [I and T]

to risk money on the result of a race, game, competition, or other future event

→↑gamble

▪ How much do you want to bet?

bet (sb) that

▪ He bet me £10 that I wouldn't do it.

bet (sth) on sth

▪ She bet all her money on a horse that came last.

bet against

▪ I wouldn't bet against him winning the championship this year.

2.) I 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

▪ I bet Nigel's sitting at home now laughing his head off.

▪ 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!'

3.) you 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.) you (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.

5.) (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?'

6.) don'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.

bet ²

bet² n

[Date: 1500-1600; Origin: Perhaps from abet 'support, help' (14-16 centuries), from abet 'to help']

1.) an agreement to risk money on the result of a race, game etc or on something happening, or the money that you risk

▪ a £50 bet

bet 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.

2.) your 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.

3.) a 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)

4.) it'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.

5.) my bet

spoken used when saying what you expect to happen in the future

▪ My bet is he'll be back this time next week.

6.) do sth 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.