Idioms

an unknown quantity

This page is about the idiom an unknown quantity

Meaning

If a thing or a person is an unknown quantity, not much is known about them.

For example

  • The Saints have signed a new player, but he's an unknown quantity at this stage as very few people have seen him play.

  • We've all heard stories about a great new Ferrari engine, but it's still an unknown quantity as far as racing is concerned.

Quick Quiz

Our new sales manager is an unknown quantity because

a. we don't like her

b. we don't need her

c. we haven't met her
a) we don't like her b) we don't need her c) we haven't met her

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Common English Idioms

Contributor: Matt Errey