The phrase "all bets are off" originated in the world of gambling and betting. It is used to indicate that previously established rules or agreements no longer apply, and that a situation is now unpredictable or uncertain.
(used when the outcome of a situation is too uncertain to predict): We have to make it to the meeting place by 5:30 or all bets are off. The individual ingredients may be safe, but once you mix them up into a brew, all bets are off.
