God only knows what may happen; who knows what will happen
Proverb expressing uncertainty about an unpredictable outcome, often with a sense of suspense or anxiety. Literally 'whether a demon appears or a snake appears'.
We still don't know the result. God only knows what may happen.
この勝負、鬼が出るか蛇が出るか、最後まで目が離せない。
This match could go either way; you can't take your eyes off it until the very end.
Standard kanji spelling for this proverb.
Kana spelling sometimes used for clarity or emphasis.
A traditional Japanese proverb. The exact origin is uncertain, but it likely stems from the idea that both demons (oni) and snakes (ja) are unpredictable and potentially dangerous, symbolizing an uncertain outcome.