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| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | Vulgar Latin cadentia 'fall', from Latin cadere 'to fall' |
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chance1 S1 W1
1 how possible or likely it is that something will happen, especially something you want COLLOCATIONS COLLOCATIONS
there's a chance (that) (=it is possible that) there's every chance (that) (=it is very likely) some chance little chance no chance a good/fair chance (=something is likely) a slight/slim/outside chance (=something is unlikely) a fifty-fifty chance (=the possibility of something happening or not happening is equal) a million to one chance/a one in a million chance (=something is extremely unlikely to happen) lessen/minimize/reduce the chance(s) of something (=make it less likely) increase/improve the chance(s) of something (=make it more likely) chances are (=it is likely)
possibility
[uncountable and countable]COLLOCATIONS there's a chance (that) (=it is possible that) there's every chance (that) (=it is very likely) some chance little chance no chance a good/fair chance (=something is likely) a slight/slim/outside chance (=something is unlikely) a fifty-fifty chance (=the possibility of something happening or not happening is equal) a million to one chance/a one in a million chance (=something is extremely unlikely to happen) lessen/minimize/reduce the chance(s) of something (=make it less likely) increase/improve the chance(s) of something (=make it more likely) chances are (=it is likely)
2 a time or situation which you can use to do something that you want to do [= opportunity]
I'm sorry, I haven't had a chance to look at it yet.
opportunity
[countable] chance of our only chance of escape
our only chance of escapeI'm sorry, I haven't had a chance to look at it yet. grab the chance/jump at the chance (=eagerly and quickly use an opportunity) If someone invited me over to Florida, I'd jump at the chance.
If someone invited me over to Florida, I'd jump at the chance. a chance of a lifetime/a chance in a million (=a chance that you are very unlikely to have again) I couldn't pass up going to Japan; it was a chance in a million.
I couldn't pass up going to Japan; it was a chance in a million.3 to do something that involves risks : The rope might break, but that's a chance we'll have to take. He decided to take his chances in the boat.
risk
take a chance
The rope might break, but that's a chance we'll have to take.He decided to take his chances in the boat.4 how likely it is that someone will succeed : Ryan will be a candidate in next month's elections, but his chances are not good.
likely to succeed
somebody's chances
Ryan will be a candidate in next month's elections, but his chances are not good. somebody's chances of doing something England's chances of winning the series have all but disappeared.
England's chances of winning the series have all but disappeared. not fancy/not rate somebody's chances British English (=think someone is unlikely to succeed) I don't fancy their chances against Brazil.
I don't fancy their chances against Brazil.5 the way some things happen without being planned or caused by people [↪ fate]
luck
[uncountable] leave something to chance (=to not plan something but just hope that everything will happen as intended) Dave had thought of every possibility, he was leaving nothing to chance.
Dave had thought of every possibility, he was leaving nothing to chance. pure/sheer/blind chance (=not at all planned) It was pure chance that they ended up working in the same office in the same town.
It was pure chance that they ended up working in the same office in the same town.6 if someone or something stands a chance of doing something, it is possible that they will succeed : I've given myself a fighting chance of getting to the finals (=a small but real chance if a great effort can be made).
stand/have a chance (of something/of doing something)
I've given myself a fighting chance of getting to the finals (=a small but real chance if a great effort can be made).7 used to ask politely whether something is true : Are you Mrs Grant, by any chance?
by any chance
spokenAre you Mrs Grant, by any chance?8 used to ask whether you can have something or whether something is possible : Any chance of a cup of coffee? Any chance of you coming to the party on Saturday?
any chance of ...?
spokenAny chance of a cup of coffee?Any chance of you coming to the party on Saturday?9 if a competitor is in with a chance, it is possible that they will win : I think we're in with a good chance of beating them.
be in with a chance
I think we're in with a good chance of beating them.10 used to emphasize that you are sure something could never happen : 'Maybe your brother would lend you the money?' 'Huh, fat chance!'
no chance!/fat chance!
spoken'Maybe your brother would lend you the money?' 'Huh, fat chance!'11 if you do something on the off chance, you do it hoping for a particular result, although you know it is not likely : I didn't really expect her to be at home. I just called on the off chance. ➔ off-chance
on the off chance
I didn't really expect her to be at home. I just called on the off chance.12 used to mean that the thing you want to happen is very unlikely : 'Do you think you'll get married?' 'Chance would be a fine thing!'
chance would be a fine thing!
British English spoken'Do you think you'll get married?' 'Chance would be a fine thing!'➔ game of chance
at game1 (15)WORD CHOICE:WORD CHOICE: chance, chances, luckchance means possibility • There is a small chance he is still alive. • You've got a good chance of passing. chance also means opportunity • You will have the chance to meet the star of the show.chance also means that something happened by coincidence or was not planned • It was pure chance that we bought the same shoes. Someone's chances are the probability that they will do something • Her chances of finding him after all these years are slim. • He aims to win today - what are his chances?!! Use chances of doing something, not 'chances to do something' • Your chances of getting (NOT chances to get) a job are as good as anyone's.luck is when something good happens without being planned • He won more through luck than skill. • It was such luck that you were there to help me!
