Definition
Used to introduce a surprising outcome or one that the hearer is not expected to try to guess.
Used to dramatize the introduction of an unsurprising outcome.
Origins
Perhaps an ellipsis of "(can you) guess what I am about to say/what happened next?"
In Context
- "Guess what the top two success drivers were from his detailed research: a unique, superior, differentiated product; strong market orientation and voice of the customer built in. Guess what the top two deficiencies were: lack of market orientation; poor quality of execution."
- "She started down on one end, and whether she knew you or not, she walked right up to you, got six inches away from your face, and said, “Guess what, I won!”"
- "Have you ever said “abracadabra”, “hocus pocus”, or “presto chango”? Well, guess what? You were casting a spell!"
- "I've only had two job interviews and – guess what – no job offers."
- "Yesterday evening at 6:30 P.M. there's a new charge nurse, he's going to give me my seizure medication and guess what? There isn't any!"