English Explanatory Dictionary

bet a dollar to a doughnut

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To declare with confidence.

Pronunciation

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-bet a dollar to a doughnut.wav

Word forms

bet a dollar to a doughnut bets a dollar to a doughnut betting a dollar to a doughnut bet a dollar to a donut wager a dollar to a doughnut bet dollars to doughnuts dollars to donuts

Etymology

Possibly adapted from "bet dollars to buttons" and "bet dollars to dumplings" that appeared in the 1880s, meaning "to feel almost certain" because the dollars are bet against something nearly worthless and perhaps shaped like a zero.

Synonyms

a pound to a penny bet a dollar to a dime bet one's boots bet one's bottom dollar bet the farm take to the bank

Related words

wanna bet make it interesting
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