chance

chance1 [ tʃæns ] noun ***

1. ) count usually singular an opportunity for you to do something, especially something that you want to do: OPPORTUNITY:

chance for: The meetings are very short, so there is little chance for real discussion.

the chance to do something: Participants are given the chance to learn another language.

give/offer/provide a chance: The show provides a chance for the public to look at all the latest software.

get/have a chance: We work together whenever we get a chance.

jump at/seize/grab a chance (=use an opportunity when it appears): Gina got up to leave and Sam, seizing his chance, followed her out.

blow your chance INFORMAL (=have an opportunity but not use it well): They've blown their chance of getting the money back.

given the chance (=if you had the opportunity): What would you say, given the chance to talk to her again?

a second/another chance: These players deserve another chance.

last chance: I warned her that this was her last chance.

2. ) count or uncount the possibility that something will happen:

The chance of rain is less than 20%.

a chance of (doing) something: For the first time in 15 years, they have a realistic chance of winning an election.

chance (that): Is there any chance they will reverse their decision?

a good/fair/slim chance: There is now only a slim chance that a recession can be avoided.

not stand a chance (=be not at all likely to be able to do something): He doesn't stand a chance of winning the tournament.

a fighting chance (=a chance to succeed if you try very hard): We still have a fighting chance of beating them if we keep our minds on the game.

a fifty-fifty chance/an even chance (=a situation in which the chances of something happening or not happening are equal): He had a fifty-fifty chance of surviving the operation.

3. ) uncount the way things happen without being planned or expected: LUCK:

The results may simply be due to chance.

by chance: It was simply by chance that Nicholson was cast in the movie.

pure/sheer chance: Pure chance had brought us together that day.

any chance of...? SPOKEN

used for asking someone to give you something or do something for you:

Any chance of a cup of coffee, Steve?

by any chance SPOKEN

used when you are asking questions to find out whether something is true:

You don't happen to recall his name, by any chance?

the chance of a lifetime or a chance in a million

an opportunity to do something that you will never have again

someone's chances

the degree to which someone is likely to achieve something:

If I wanted to get a job in advertising, what do you think my chances would be?

someone's chances of (doing) something: What are their chances of winning the championship this season?

(the) chances are SPOKEN

used for saying that something is likely to happen but is not certain:

The chances are that I will be looking for a new job soon.

chance would be a fine thing BRITISH SPOKEN

used for saying that something that you would like to happen is extremely unlikely

fat chance VERY INFORMAL

used for saying that something is extremely unlikely:

You think she will let you go by yourself? Fat chance.

on the off chance

if you do something on the off chance, you do it even though you think it is unlikely to succeed:

She thought of calling him on the off chance of catching him at home.

take a chance (on) or take chances

to do something even though it involves risk:

Lorraine didn't know me but she took a chance on my honesty.

It is just not worth taking any chances.

chance

chance 2 [ tʃæns ] verb

1. ) transitive to do something even though you know it involves a risk:

He stepped back and chanced a look at Martha.

chance it INFORMAL: It looked like rain so I decided not to chance it and brought my umbrella.

2. ) intransitive MAINLY LITERARY to do something in a way that is not planned:

chance to: Roger would have seen her if he chanced to look around.

`chance ,on or `chance up,on phrasal verb transitive MAINLY LITERARY

to find or see someone or something when you did not expect to:

I was browsing in a bookstore when I chanced upon an old friend.

chance

chance 3 [ tʃæns ] adjective only before noun

not planned or expected:

a chance meeting/discovery/encounter