As likely as not
Hello
Based on dictionary, the meaning of "as likely as not" is "most probably".
But I want to know why this phrase have that meaning.Can anybody help?

Question

As likely as not
Hello
Based on dictionary, the meaning of "as likely as not" is "most probably".
But I want to know why this phrase have that meaning.Can anybody help?

Answer

"As likely as not" means that there is an average chance of something happening. It means this because it is a shortened version of a phrase that refers to something being just "as likely" to happen "as" it is "not" likely to happen. This means that the chances of it happening are just as good as the chances of it not happening.