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wager

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lay a wager

1. To make a bet. A: "There's no doubt in my mind that my team will beat yours in the championship!" B: "Oh yeah? Care to lay a wager on that?"

2. To be completely sure of something. I'd lay a wager that Jeremy tries to skip out on paying me back for dinner.

See also: lay, wager

wager on someone or something

to bet on someone or something. I wouldn't want to wager on the outcome. I'll wager on Bill, the fastest runner in town.

See also: on, wager

wager something on someone or something

to bet a certain amount of money on someone or something. I'll wager twenty bucks on you. I would never wager anything on that horse!

See also: on, wager

lay a wager

see under lay odds.

See also: lay, wager

lay odds

Make a bet on terms favorable to the other party, as in I'll lay odds that it will rain before the week is out. [c. 1600] The closely related lay a wager means "make a bet," as in He laid a wager that Don would be late. [c. 1300]

See also: lay, odds

wager on

v.

1. To place a wager of some amount on some event: I wagered $10 on the first race of the evening.

2. To place a wager of some amount on some participant in an event: I wagered $10 on the Detroit Tigers.

3. To place a wager or bet on some event: I wagered on the last race of the evening but lost.

4. To place a wager or bet on some participant in an event: I wagered on the Chicago Bears and doubled my money.

5. To expect or feel sure that something will happen: You can wager on Chris being late to the meeting.

See also: on, wager