# nine times out of ten

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/nine-times-out-of-ten
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Very often, mostly, most of the time.

## Examples

- Nine times out of ten, the bus is late.
- If you forget your umbrella, it will rain nine times out of ten.
- While the outcome remains uncertain, historical data suggests that nine times out of ten, the market will correct itself after such a sharp decline.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.