chance1 nounchance2 verbchance3 adjective
chancechance1 /tʃɑːns $ tʃæns/ ●●● S1 W1 noun 
WORD ORIGINchance1
Origin:
1200-1300 Old French, Vulgar Latin cadentia ‘fall’, from Latin cadere ‘to fall’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "Back to School Night" will be a chance for parents to meet their child's teacher.
- I never got the chance to thank him for all his help.
- I wish he'd just give me the chance to explain.
- It's a beautiful building - you should go and see it if you have a chance.
- It was her last chance to see him before she left town.
- You should take the chance to travel while you are still young.
- He took less of a chance.
- That would reduce his chances of missing something almost to nil.
- The chance of reproducing is high even if the organism is not very efficient.
- The chances of such preservation need to be assessed before evidence is destroyed.
- Then the war came and after the war the concert-managers offered me a chance to do all the Mahler symphonies.
- They are beginning to quietly fancy their chances at Stamford Bridge.
- They now have to put up with seeing their young thrown in prison and coming out with little chance of being rehabilitated.
THESAURUS
noun [uncountable] when good or bad things happen to people by chance: · The game involves an element of luck as well as skill.
noun [uncountable] the way that some things happen without being planned or caused by people: · I met her by chance on a plane to Tokyo.· Like all top athletes, he leaves nothing to chance, and trains harder than anybody.
noun [uncountable] luck and the effect it has on your life: · I had the good fortune to work with some great people.· The tour was dogged by ill fortune (=it had a lot of bad luck) from the start.· Fortune has shone on the team so far this season (=they have been lucky).
noun [uncountable] a power that some people believe controls what happens to people and which cannot be changed or stopped: · Fate dealt him a cruel blow with the death of his wife at the age of 32.· It must have been fate that brought them together, and fate that tore them apart.· We can’t just leave it to fate.
noun [uncountable] a power which some people believe controls what happens in our lives and protects us: · Do you believe in divine providence (=God’s power to make things happen)?· Her life was mapped out for her by providence.
noun [countable usually singular] informal something good that happens because of luck: · Their second goal was a fluke.· They won by a fluke.
Longman Language Activatorwhen something happens without being planned if something happens by chance , it happens unexpectedly and seems to have no particular cause: · I met an old friend by chance on the train.· If by chance I'm not in when she calls, can you take a message?quite/purely/entirely by chance (=completely by chance): · Quite by chance, a TV crew was filming in the area when the accident happened.
if you do something by accident , you do it by chance and without intending to do it: · Fleming discovered penicillin almost by accident.· We ended up by accident on the wrong train and had to ride all the way to Montreal.· The trigger of the gun is locked so that it cannot be fired by accident.quite by accident (=completely by chance): · Lombardi heard about their plan quite by accident.
if you happen to do something , you do it by chance and not because of any particular reason or plan: · Justin forgot the map but I happened to have another one in the glove compartment.just happen to do something: · I'm sorry I didn't phone first -- I just happened to be passing and thought I'd drop in.· We're not related -- we just happen to have the same name.
use this to say that something happened by chance, when this is connected with what you have just been talking about: · This was the first time I had ever seen a panda, and as luck would have it, I had my camera with me.· As luck would have it, it rained the next day and the game was canceled.
a surprising situation in which two things happen that are similar or seem connected, but no-one planned or intended this to happen: · Hi Phil. What a coincidence -- we were just talking about you.by coincidence: · My mother is called Anna, and by coincidence my wife's mother is called Anna too.just a coincidence: · It was just a coincidence that we were in Paris at the same time.by a strange/sad/happy etc coincidence: · By a strange coincidence the king was assassinated on the very spot where his grandfather had been killed.
the way in which good or bad things seem to happen to people by chance: · There's no skill in a game like roulette, it's all luck.· Success is not a matter of chance - it takes a lot of hard work.pure luck/chance: · It was pure chance that we ran into each other on the street.leave something to chance (=let things happen by chance): · You must plan ahead. You can't leave these things to chance.
the power or force that is supposed to control the way everything happens, so that people cannot completely control their own lives: · It was fate that brought us together.· They saw themselves as victims of fate.by a twist of fate (=because fate made things happen in an unexpected way): · By a strange twist of fate the judge died on the very day that Cordell was executed.
something that happens by chance with no plan or intention: · I only met her again through a fortunate accident.· It is no accident that most of the country's outstanding public schools are in wealthy communities.
use this when you are talking about a situation that is surprising because by chance it is connected with something else that has been noticed or mentioned: · We've just seen a really beautiful house and, as it happens, it's for sale.· I needed to borrow a car, and as it happened Andrew wasn't using his.
happening by chance: chance meeting/remark/discovery etc a meeting etc that happens unexpectedly and was not planned or arranged: · Their friendship was the result of a chance meeting.· A chance encounter at the conference gave him the opportunity to tell the professor about his work.· Wilson hoped his chance discovery would benefit poor families in developing nations.
happening by chance, without being planned or intended, especially in a way that has a bad result : · Are you insured against accidental damage to your property?· A system of valves limits accidental releases of the substance.
formal happening by chance, especially in a way that has a good result: · A fortuitous fire destroyed all evidence of his wrongdoing.
when things are done, chosen etc by chance if you do or choose things at random , you do or choose them without using any plan or system: · The forms were distributed at random to people passing by.· While he waited, he picked up a magazine, turned to a page at random, and started reading.· Twenty students were chosen at random to take part in the experiment.
something that is random is done or chosen without using any plan or system: · The union believes that the random drug testing of employees is an invasion of their privacy.· A few random shots were fired, but the battle was over.
something that is arbitrary is decided or arranged without any reason, plan, or system, especially in a way that seems unfair: · The way the programme of events is organized seems completely arbitrary to me.· The fans complained about the apparently arbitrary distribution of tickets for the next game.
when you have the chance to do something a situation in which it is possible for you to do something enjoyable, useful, or exciting, or something that you want to do: chance to do something: · I never got the chance to thank him for all his help.· It's a beautiful building - you should go and see it if you have a chance.give somebody a/the chance to do something: · I wish he'd just give me the chance to explain.take the chance to do something (=use a chance when you have it): · You should take the chance to travel while you are still young.chance for somebody to do something: · "Back to School Night" will be a chance for parents to meet their child's teacher.somebody's last chance (=when you will not have another chance): · It was her last chance to see him before she left town.
a chance to do something, especially something that is important or useful to you, or something that you want to do very much: · It was too good an opportunity to pass up.opportunity to do something: · All he needs is an opportunity to show his ability.opportunity of doing something: · After they had refused him the opportunity of improving his position, he resigned.opportunity for somebody to do something: · We see this as an exciting opportunity for our companies to work together.have an/the opportunity (to do something): · She was delighted to have an opportunity to talk with someone who shared her interest in classical music.equal opportunities (=the same opportunities as other people): · All over the world women are demanding equal opportunities.
informal a sudden or unexpected chance to do something, especially to be successful in your job: · Gary wants to work in television. He's just waiting for a break.lucky break: · Seeing that advertisement in the paper was a lucky break for me.big break: · Nimoy's big break in television came in the mid-'60s, when he won the role of Spock on "Star Trek".
· I got a grant from my university to study in the USA for a year. It's a golden opportunity!a golden opportunity (for somebody) to do something · The management course is being paid for by the company and it's a golden opportunity to improve your skills.
the chance to do something very exciting or important that you might never be able to do again: · This job is the chance of a lifetime. You'd be a fool not to take it.· If you don't hurry up and make a decision, you could miss the chance of a lifetime.
a chance to do things you want to do, in the way that you want to do them. Scope is more formal than room: · He refused the post because he felt it didn't offer him much scope.room/scope for: · There will always be room for debate and disagreement in this class.· I have two jobs, which doesn't leave much room for socializing.· Despite our recent success, there is still scope for improvement.room/scope to do something: · We've left the course deliberately vague, so there's room to concentrate on your particular areas of interest.· Better paid labour means greater scope to increase the company's profits.
the chance of being successful at something in the future, especially your job: · He had no job, no family, no home, no prospects.· Employers are now offering more jobs with quality training and excellent career prospects.prospects for: · The prospects for an alliance between the two nations do not look good.
the chance to do something: possibility for: · The possibilities for improvement are endless.· We need to investigate all possibilities for helping these children.
to give someone an opportunity to do something, for example the opportunity to do a particular job: · My experience in the Peace Corps really opened doors for me when I started looking for a job.· Alice Coachman's Olympic success opened the door for generations of African-American track athletes.
to use an opportunity: take the opportunity to do something · I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your help.take the opportunity of doing something · I'm going to take every opportunity of going to see Brian while he's living in Germany.
informal to quickly use an opportunity to do something, especially when you think you might not get another chance: · It may be the last time he offers you the job so I'd grab the chance while you can.grab the chance to do something: · Knowing how difficult it is to find a job I grabbed the chance to be trained as an electrician.
to eagerly and quickly use an opportunity to do something: · The early retirement plan is excellent and I'm surprised that people haven't jumped at the opportunity.jump at the chance/opportunity to do something: · When the resort was put up for sale, the Millers jumped at the chance to buy it.· She thought Lewis would jump at the opportunity to make some extra money on weekends.jump at the chance/opportunity of doing something: · Who wouldn't jump at the chance of spending a month in Australia?
to do something quickly, while you are in a situation in which you are most likely to be successful: · Don't wait until tomorrow before you tell him, strike while the iron is hot!
spoken to take the opportunity to do something now while the conditions are good, because you might not be able to do it later: · Let's make hay while the sun shines and finish this project before I start falling asleep.
someone who always looks for and takes opportunities that might make them more successful -- used to show disapproval: · It is difficult to tell whether he really wants to help May or whether he is just an opportunist.· As the finance company started to fail a few opportunists managed to make more money out of it.
to not use an opportunity: miss a chance/an opportunity of · Denise never misses the chance of a free meal.miss a chance/an opportunity to do something · Don't miss this great opportunity to fly for half price.· Dan never misses an opportunity to remind me that I still owe him money.miss your chance/opportunity · Jerry's already sold the car to someone else. You've missed your chance.
to not use the chance to do something enjoyable or useful, especially when this is not a good thing: · If you don't come to the picnic you'll miss out on all the fun.· I don't want to be the type of father who is so busy he misses out on his daughter's childhood.
informal to waste a chance that you had to do or get something good: · Don't panic and talk too much in the interview or you'll really blow it.· I was afraid I'd blown my chance but she agreed to go out again on Saturday night.blow your chances of doing something: · She started running much too fast at the beginning and blew her chances of winning the race.
informal to be too late to use an opportunity to do something good: · Buy your shares in the company now or you'll miss the boat.· He didn't get his application in early enough so he missed the boat.
to not use a good opportunity when you are able to, especially an opportunity that you will not get again: · We had an opportunity to win the championship last season and we let it slip through our fingers.
an opportunity that you wasted by not using it to become successful, enjoy yourself etc: · If you don't take the job it'll just be another lost opportunity in your life.
to try to avoid risks or danger to do something in a sensible way, in order to avoid risks: · Of course you don't have to spend all your time worrying about possible health hazards, but you still need to take care.take care how/when etc: · Take care how you cross the road. Most drivers ignore the traffic lights and just drive through. take care with: · I always take great care with diets, so I don't lose too much weight too quickly.
to make preparations before you do something, in order to avoid the risk of something unpleasant happening: · Tourists should take precautions as they would in any large city, and should avoid traveling alone at night. take precautions against: · The villagers had already taken precautions against random raids by the militia.take the precaution of doing something: · Bennet had taken the precaution of transferring his house into his wife's name before his company collapsed.
to pay careful attention to what is happening and not easily trust people, in order to avoid getting into danger, being tricked etc: · Drivers have to be on their guard, as faults or signal failures can occur at any time.be on your guard against: · " We would like to warn everybody to be on their guard against unsolicited 'tradesmen'," he said.
to watch and listen very carefully when you are in a situation that might be dangerous, or in which people might try to cheat you: · It was only because John kept his wits about him that the boys managed to get home safely.· Buying a second-hand car can be very tricky. You really have to have your wits about you.
to choose a careful way of doing something instead of a way that could have more risks or danger: · My friends keep advising me to invest my money in stocks and shares but I've decided to play safe and leave it in the bank.· The Film Club could have played safe by starting the season with one of the ever-popular Hitchcock movies, but instead they chose to show an avant-garde documentary.
to organize something in a very careful way, because you want to avoid any possible risks: · This time we're taking no chances. Everything will be planned down to the last detail.· Weather forecasters have warned about the possibility of severe storms, and city officials are taking no chances.
to hope for something even when it is unlikely to continue to hope very much that something is true or will happen, even when you know it is extremely unlikely: · Daniel waited all day, hoping against hope that Annie would change her mind and come back.· James was still clinging to the hope that Jo might have made a mistake.
spoken also build up your hopes British to get excited because you hope something will happen, usually when you are later disappointed because it does not: · I would have told you about this earlier, but I didn't want to get your hopes up.· I may be able to arrange something, but please don't get your hopes up.
informal if you do something on the off chance that another thing will happen, you do it because you hope the other thing will happen, even though it seems unlikely: · They got to the man as quickly as they could, on the off chance that he was still alive, but he was not.
when something cannot be done something that is impossible cannot be done: · We're supposed to do all this work by tomorrow, but it's impossible.· It's a seemingly impossible task.it is impossible (for somebody/something) to do something: · The twins are so alike that it's impossible to tell them apart.· The street was narrow and it was impossible for the two buses to pass.make it impossible: · Her back injury has made it impossible for her to play tennis anymore.find it impossible (=discover that you cannot do something): · When people leave prison, they often find it impossible to get a job.
impossible or extremely difficult to do: · We can't buy a new computer for every student - it's just not possible.it is not possible (for somebody/something) to do something: · It is not possible, in a book of this size, to cover every aspect of the subject.· She's in a meeting, so I'm afraid it's not possible for you to see her now.
especially spoken say this when you strongly believe that something is impossible: there's no way (that): · There's no way we can get to the airport in less than an hour.there's no way of knowing something: · There's no way of knowing when the volcano will erupt again.
an idea, suggestion, or action that is impractical is not really possible because it would cost far too much money, waste too much time, be much too difficult etc: · Officials stated that building a dam for irrigation purposes was hopelessly impractical.· Telling people to avoid any exposure to the sun is impractical advice.it is impractical to do something: · It would be impractical to attempt to review all the types of multimedia technology in this study.
if an idea or suggestion is out of the question , it is completely impossible or it cannot be allowed: · I'd love to come with you, but with all the work I have to do it's out of the question.· The cost would be over $5000, which is quite out of the question.it's out of the question for somebody (to do something): · I'm afraid it's out of the question for you to go alone.
especially spoken use this in order to emphasize that you think something is impossible: · You know we can't possibly pay as much as that in rent.· That was delicious but I couldn't possibly eat another thing!
if something that you try to do is hopeless , there is no possibility of it being successful: · Police now face the hopeless task of trying to find the bombers.it is hopeless: · "Please let me go to the party'' Ali begged her mother, but she knew it was hopeless.it is hopeless to do something: · It's hopeless to try to persuade him while he's in this mood. Let's talk to him tomorrow.a hopeless cause (=something that cannot possibly succeed): · "I do not believe that working to block the movement of cocaine into the US is a hopeless cause," McCaffrey told the panel.
informal to not have any chance of doing what you want, for example because it is much too difficult, someone else will do it first etc: · Everyone in the town votes Republican. The Democrats don't stand a chance.· There's no point in me applying for the job. I wouldn't have a hope.not stand a chance of doing something: · "The driver of the train didn't stand a chance of stopping in time," a Railtrack spokesman said.not have a hope/have no hope of doing something: · The bank said that it will no longer lend to enterprises that have no hope of making a profit.
something that is impossible to do: · At first they thought that building a bridge across to the island was an impossibility.· The equal division of all roles is a practical impossibility for many parents.· I was suddenly struck by the impossibility of achieving our aims.
material for making clothes, curtains etc use this when you think that something may happen or may be true, but you are not sure. Perhaps is more formal than maybe .: · "Will you be there tomorrow?" "I don't know, maybe."· I wonder why she's late - maybe she missed the train.· The footprints belonged to a large cat, a tiger, perhaps.· I'm not sure why I couldn't sleep. Perhaps it was the coffee.maybe not/perhaps not: · "It's not her fault that she can't get a job." "Well, maybe not, but she should make a little more effort."· Housing prices will continue to rise, though perhaps not as much as was predicted last year.
use this with other verbs, to show that something is possible, or likely, but you are not sure about it. May and might are more formal than could: · Take your umbrella -- it might rain.· Hundreds of workers may lose their jobs if the strike continues.· We could be home before midnight if the traffic isn't too bad.may/might/could have done something: · "Bruce isn't here yet." "He may have decided not to come."· It's a good thing we got her to the hospital right away -- the doctor said she could have died if we'd waited.
use this when you think that something may happen or may be done, but that it is not very likely: · I might have to work on Saturday, so it's possible I won't be able to come to your party.· There's a chance that I'll be in California in October, so I might be able to visit you for a few days.it is just possible (that)/there is just a chance (that) (=when something is possible, but very unlikely): · Tomorrow should be sunny but there's just a chance of showers in the afternoon.· It's just possible we'll finish the job by tonight, but it'll probably be tomorrow.outside chance/possibility: · Martinez will need surgery, but there's an outside chance he'll be playing again before the end of the season.slim chance/possibility: · Sims has some numbness and weakness in her legs, and surgeons say there is a slim possibility of paralysis.
use this when you think that something may be true, but you do not have enough information to be sure: · "Do you think she was murdered, inspector?" "Possibly."· He's playing in the US Open Golf Championships - possibly for the last time.· Stone is possibly America's finest film director.· The cancer was possibly caused by exposure to asbestos.· Trade between the two countries began in the 11th century, possibly even earlier.· Many analysts believe interest rates will rise, possibly as early as next spring.quite possibly (=very possibly): · The examination hall was vast, with at least 700 or 800 students and quite possibly as many as 1000.
if you think something may conceivably happen or be true, it seems unlikely but you can imagine that it is possible: · Reservations are advised but you might conceivably find a hotel the day you arrive.· It is still unlikely, but unemployment could conceivably begin to fall by the end of the year.
spoken say this when you are not sure whether something will happen, because no one knows what will happen in the future: · I don't think I'll ever get married, but you never know.· Why don't you ask for a raise? You never know, they could say yes.
spoken say this when you have no way of knowing whether something is true or not true: · "Will you still be working here next year?" "Who knows? Maybe I will, maybe I won't."· Maybe he wasn't telling the truth. Who knows?
when something could happen if something is possible , there is a chance that it may happen or it may be true: · Accidents are always possible in heavy industries like mining.· You can't be a Muslim and a Catholic at the same time - it's just not possible.· technological changes and their possible effects on our livesit is possible for somebody to do something: · It is possible for more than one person to win the competition.it is possible that: · It is possible that the children are still alive.
something that can happen or may happen: possibility of: · We could not ignore the possibility of an enemy attack.there is a possibility that: · Unless there is some change in the economy, there is a possibility that the plant may close.a real/distinct/strong possibility (=something that is quite likely to happen): · A Republican victory in next month's elections now seems to be a real possibility.· There's a distinct possibility that there will be another earthquake.a faint/slight possibility: · There is still a faint possibility that Sarah will be found safe and well.
if something can happen, it is possible for it to happen at some time: · Mistakes can occur, even in the most carefully controlled situations.· A lot can happen in two years.· It can be warm in England, even in March.
a potential problem, advantage, effect etc is not a problem, advantage etc now, but it may become one in the future: · For the first time she realized the potential danger of her situation.· It is important for manufacturers to identify potential problems at the design stage.potential customer/buyer/student etc (=someone who may become a customer, buyer etc in the future): · a way of making the college more attractive to potential students
use this to say that it is possible that something will happen: there is a chance/possibility of: · On the northern hills there is always the possibility of a snow shower, even in June.there is a chance/possibility that: · Is there any chance that he will recover from his injury in time for the race?
say this to show that you think there is some possibility that something might happen, even though it seems unlikely: · I'd love to be a doctor, but you have to be very clever for that. Still, you never know.
when it is unlikely that there will be a good result if there is little chance/hope etc of something happening, it is unlikely to happen, although you want it to happen: · There's little chance of the hostages being released.· There seemed little prospect of any great decrease in unemployment.· I see little hope of improvement in relations between our two countries.
to be unlikely to succeed in doing something: · Students who cannot read by this point do not stand much chance of getting the help they need.· We weren't opposed to the plan, but we didn't think it had much chance of succeeding.
a very small possibility of being successful: have an outside chance of (doing) something: · She lost the first two games of the tournament, but still has an outside chance of winning the cup.there is an outside chance (that): · There's still an outside chance that the FBI will find the man they are looking for.
how likely it is that something will happen: likelihood of · As you get older, the likelihood of illness increases.· Studies have shown that there is a greater likelihood of teenagers having car accidents.likelihood (that) · There is little likelihood that the number of college places will go up this year.
how likely it is that something will happen - use this especially about situations where you can calculate fairly exactly how likely something is: probability of: · The probability of catching the disease from your partner is extremely low.· We must increase our efforts to reduce the probability of such an accident happening again.probability (that): · There is a 90% probability that the hurricane will hit the coast of Florida later today.a strong probability: · There is a strong probability that the problem will recur if we do not deal with it now.
the chance that something you hope for will happen soon: prospect for: · The prospects for peace are improving.no/little prospect of (doing) something: · He had no job and no prospect of getting one.there is every prospect of something (=it is very likely): · There is every prospect of an economic recovery next year.
how likely it is that something you hope for will actually happen: chances of (doing) something: · The new treatment will increase her chances of survival.· For these men the chances of getting another job are not very high.what are the chances...?: · What are the chances of that happening twice in one month?chances are (that)... (=it is likely that): · If you eat a balanced, low-fat diet, chances are your arteries will be healthy.
how likely it is that something will happen, especially when this can be stated in numbers: odds in favour of: · The odds in favour of a win for the Russian team are around 10 to 1.odds of: · If you are male, the odds are about 1 in 12 of being colourblind.odds against: · The odds against being killed in a plane crash are very high.
to be likely to be successful · "Do you think he'll get the job?" "Well, he certainly has a very good chance."have/stand a good chance of doing something · I think Bart's design stands a really good chance of winning the competition.
to be very likely to be successful because of being well prepared or because the present situation is favourable: · The band's new album is set to become the biggest hit of the year.look set to do something: · Shares in the company look set to soar.
to be likely to achieve something because there has already been some success: be on course for: · The business is on course for record profits this year.be on course to do something: · After three major victories, the Brazilian team seemed on course to win the cup.
to do something even though there is a risk to decide to do something, even though you know that something bad or harmful might happen as a result: · I knew we were taking a risk when we lent him the money.· Nobody is successful in business without taking a few risks.· Climbers like the thrill that taking risks gives them.take a calculated risk (=decide to do something after thinking very carefully about the risks): · Most investors study the market and take calculated risks.
also chance it informal to decide to do something even though there is a risk, because you think that you will succeed: · Victor took a chance and set up his own company, which has been very successful.· Isaacs chanced it with a long three-point shot at goal in the last minute of the game.take a chance on (=hope that something happens): · He persuaded the record company to take a chance on the band, and it became a huge hit.take chances (=always be ready to take a chance, especially in your work): · There are a lot of people in the movie industry who are afraid to take chances and do new things.
to do something that you know might have a harmful or negative result: · He risked a cautious glance over the wall, and saw a group of guards standing by the gate.risk doing something: · I decided to risk looking for a place to stay when I got there, rather than booking in advance.risk it: · Road conditions were supposed to be pretty bad, but we decided to risk it.
informal to do something or give your opinion about something, even though you know there is a risk that you are wrong or will be criticized: · The evidence is good, but I won't stick my neck out until all the data is in.· Look, I'll stick my neck out and say it'll be finished by tomorrow evening.
to finally decide to do something important but which involves some risk, after thinking about it very carefully: · Forsyth took the plunge into politics in 1996.· "Are you two getting married?" "Yes. We've decided to take the plunge."
if you do something at your own risk , it will be your own fault if something bad happens - used especially on official signs and notices to warn people: · Visitors who park their cars in the corner lot do so at their own risk.· Journalists were allowed into the area, but only at their own risk.
spoken say this when what you are going to say or do might make someone angry, upset etc: · A school has to be able to make rules about students' dress, even at the risk of upsetting parents.· At the risk of sounding like your mother, you'd better dress up warm.· This is a point which -- at the risk of being boring -- I must emphasize once again.
when people deliberately take risks in order to achieve something - use this especially about actions in business or dangerous sports: · The culture in Silicon Valley values risk-taking and entrepreneurship.· Risk-taking has long been a feature of the theatre company's productions, which have tackled many difficult issues.
when two different results are possible informal if you say that something such as a game or a decision could go either way , you mean that either of two results is equally possible: · Legal experts following the case believe the trial could go either way.· Spurs are a goal up but there are ten minutes to go and the match could still go either way.
a borderline case is a situation in which the decision is not certain, for example about whether someone should pass an exam, get a job etc: borderline case/decision etc: · In borderline cases we look at a student's class work to decide the final exam result.· It was a borderline decision whether to send him to prison or not.
spoken informal if you say there is a fifty-fifty chance of something happening, you mean there is an equal chance of it happening or not happening: · The weather forecast said there was a fifty-fifty chance of rain.be fifty-fifty (=there is a fifty-fifty chance): · It'll be a tough game -- I'd say our chances of winning are fifty-fifty.
spoken say this when you do not know which of two possibilities someone will choose, and you think each is equally likely: · "Have you decided where to go on holiday?" "Well, it'll be either Portugal or Turkey -- it's a toss-up."it's a toss-up between: · I don't know who'll get the job. I guess it's a toss-up between Carl and Steve.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 1verbs
It afforded her the opportunity to improve her tennis skills. We’ve blown our chances of getting that contract. Bernstein began training the young musician after a chance encounter at a concert (=a meeting that happened by chance). I think we have an even chance of winning. There is every chance that he will recover. I don’t fancy our chances of getting a ticket this late. a fifty-fifty chance of winning They don’t stand a ghost of a chance of winning. These meetings give everyone a chance to express their opinions. They were glad of the chance to finally get some sleep. Our team has a good chance of winning (=is fairly likely to win). I think you should grab your chance to travel while you’re young. I’d go to university if I got half the chance. Many kids would sleep till noon given half a chance. If by any chance you can’t manage dinner tonight, perhaps we can at least have a drink together. He’s not the sort to leave things to chance (=take no action and just wait to see what happens). Exercise lessens the risk of heart disease. If you hesitate, you may lose the opportunity to compete altogether. The career center will help you maximize your opportunities. It was a chance in a million that we’d find a fossil. The course offers the opportunity to specialize in the final year. I don’t think you should pass up the opportunity to go to university. A criminal record will prejudice your chances of getting a job. It happened purely by chance. He relishes the chance to play Hamlet. There’s a remote chance that you can catch him before he leaves. I just want to give these kids a second chance. There’s only a slim chance that anyone survived the crash.
(=it is possible you will do it)· I think you have a good chance of getting the job.
(=say how likely it is that they will do it)· He has been given a fifty-fifty chance of being fit for Sunday’s match.
· Certain foods increase the chance of heart disease.
· The book shows you how to improve your chance of success.
· The talks were aimed at reducing the chance of war.
(=make it impossible for something to happen)· Drinking alcohol can ruin any chance of weight loss.
(=make something less likely to happen)· This could jeopardize any chance of a ceasefire.
adjectives (=when something is likely)· I think there is a good chance that he will say yes.
(=a good chance)· There’s every chance that the baby will survive.
· There’s some chance of snow later this week.
· He only has a very small chance of being elected.· There’s a slight chance of some sunshine in the west.
· The prisoners knew there was little chance of escape.
(=used to say how likely something is)· People in their 30s have a one in 3,000 chance of getting the disease.
(=a fairly good chance)· If you work, you have a fair chance of passing the test.
(=a fairly good chance)· The proposals had at least a sporting chance of being accepted.
(=a small but real chance)· The Republican Party has a fighting chance at the next election.
(=an equal chance that something will or will not happen)· I’d say there is a 50–50 chance that the deal will go through.
(=a very small chance)· He still has an outside chance of winning the championship.
(=when something is extremely unlikely)· It must have been a million-to-one chance that we’d meet.
Meaning 2verbs· I’d like a job in which I get the chance to travel.
· I was given the chance to play the main part in the play.· Sport provides a chance for you to get outside with friends.
(=accept an opportunity)· If I was offered the chance to be in the team, I’d take it.
(=use an opportunity eagerly)· Ed jumped at the chance to earn some extra money.
(=quickly use an opportunity)· As soon as she stopped speaking, I grabbed the chance to leave.
(=not use an opportunity)· He missed a chance to score just before half time.
(=not accept or use an opportunity)· Imagine throwing up a chance to go to America!
· I’d welcome the chance to discuss the problem with someone.
· Every kid deserves a chance in life.
informal (=have a special opportunity and fail to use it)· He thought he’d blown his chance of happiness.
adjectives· The interview went badly, so I didn’t think they would give me a second chance.
· This is my last chance to try and pass the exam.
phrases (=one that you are very unlikely to have again)· If you don’t decide soon, you’ll have missed the chance of a lifetime.
spoken (=you have the opportunity to do something now)· You’re not working so now’s your chance to write a book.
(=if there is an opportunity to do something)· Goats will eat anything, given half a chance.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES It afforded her the opportunity to improve her tennis skills. We’ve blown our chances of getting that contract.· Everybody deserves a second chance.
(=happening by chance)· Some of the tombs were the result of chance discoveries.
Bernstein began training the young musician after a chance encounter at a concert (=a meeting that happened by chance).· The river offered our only hope of escape.
I think we have an even chance of winning. There is every chance that he will recover.· The debate will give MPs an opportunity to express their views in detail.
(=it is quite likely that something will happen) There’s a fair chance we’ll be coming over to England this summer.
There’s a fair chance we’ll be coming over to England this summer. I don’t fancy our chances of getting a ticket this late. a fifty-fifty chance of winning They don’t stand a ghost of a chance of winning. These meetings give everyone a chance to express their opinions. They were glad of the chance to finally get some sleep. Our team has a good chance of winning (=is fairly likely to win). I think you should grab your chance to travel while you’re young. I’d go to university if I got half the chance. Many kids would sleep till noon given half a chance. If by any chance you can’t manage dinner tonight, perhaps we can at least have a drink together. He’s not the sort to leave things to chance (=take no action and just wait to see what happens). Exercise lessens the risk of heart disease. If you hesitate, you may lose the opportunity to compete altogether. The career center will help you maximize your opportunities. It was a chance in a million that we’d find a fossil. The course offers the opportunity to specialize in the final year. I don’t think you should pass up the opportunity to go to university. A criminal record will prejudice your chances of getting a job.· He had discovered the truth by pure chance.
It happened purely by chance.· We felt we had a realistic chance of beating England.
He relishes the chance to play Hamlet. (=one that is not planned or intended)· I found out about their relationship from a chance remark Teddy made at dinner.
There’s a remote chance that you can catch him before he leaves. I just want to give these kids a second chance. There’s only a slim chance that anyone survived the crash.· They have a good chance of success.
· He knew that his chances of survival were small.
(=they have no chance of success) Mike’s chances of winning are virtually zero. From 1971 to 1976 West Vancouver experienced zero population growth.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE Mike’s chances of winning are virtually zero. From 1971 to 1976 West Vancouver experienced zero population growth.· The private sector must be given a fair chance to compete for local authority contracts.· She feels she has a fair chance.· If it were not for the debilitating character question, Clinton would surely have a fair chance of beating Bush.· People get a fair chance to turn themselves around.· Had he done so, there was a fair chance of victory.· But people demand a fair chance at justice as surely as they demand medical care.· You appreciate that there is a fair chance that you might find yourself prematurely in another world?· The youth Law changes are in their infancy and are an asset to the game if they are given a fair chance.
· There is fat chance of that for as long as the Government allows the banks to carry on with their grasping one-way policy.· I called from Chicago, leaving messages once, twice and even asked people to call me back collect. Fat chance.· So Mr Major is urging industry to drop the practice of the automatic annual pay-rise. Fat chance.· Members of political action committees might have hoped for a little breather before being hit up again for money. Fat chance.· The Magyar will send out word that his precious primadonna is missing? Fat chance.· They promise to help you do research, manage messages and control schedules. Fat chance!· And a chance. Fat chance.· And then walk out of here leaving my body on the floor? Fat chance.
· On paper, Mr Bush has a good chance of getting fast-track.· The unprecedented federal proposal may have a better chance in a non-election year, building on the groundwork laid this year.· United's best chances came in the first half, but Barnsley gave as good as they got and went close once or twice.· Pat Gavin had a good scoring chance but Stephen Pears brought off a brilliant save.· He's got as good a chance as any of the other challengers, and better than most.· Even Reeves's younger brother, under the full blast of a howitzer shell, had stood a better chance.· If you fight, you stand a better chance.· I like to feel that if it came to a stand-up fight I would have a good chance of victory and escape.
· Experience to date and motivational goal data give us our greatest chance of picking a winner.· Their chances of being killed by lightning are 30 times greater than their chances of being eaten by a shark.· This gives the greatest chance of individuals understanding the reasons for decisions, having ownership of resulting policy and implementing it.· But agents say that the longer the immigrants are on foot, the greater the chance of them being apprehended.· Peterborough substitute Peter Costello had a great chance to be an instant hero.· In other words, lots of concurrent partners in the briefest possible time span will equal the greatest chance of epidemic spread.· With our vastly improved materials, adhesives and security technology, perhaps the new clock has an even greater chance of survival?· The more drugs, the greater the chance for incompatibility and adverse reactions.
· There would be little chance of continuing to see flowers in militias' buttonholes.· Perfecting themselves, though, there is little chance that they will lose themselves in anyone else.· There has, therefore, been little chance in the past for a political growth of class consciousness among subordinate groups.· However, the override is given little chance of passing the Senate where 54 senators voted for the ban last year.· As there was very little chance of her being got off at that season she was advertised for sale.· But the bill is given little chance of passage in the Republican-dominated House.· Without a theatrical release in their own domestic market, they stood little chance of recouping the money lavished on them.· The left is hardly vigorous today; and, for the moment, there seems little chance of mobilizing a conservative society.
· His only chance of avoiding a council bed and breakfast hostel is a mortgage rescue scheme.· Or perhaps they do, for the beast does swerve aside, though this could be only chance.· Your only chance is to pull at him from the side, which may steer him away from the refuge he seeks.· This might be the only chance she would have.· Now his only chance of life is a new heart.· That the only chance of me ever being spotted is if I catch measles.· The only chance I might have is when he comes in with the tray.· His only chance is to outsmart Koch's crew in shifty winds.
· In this way, we lost any realistic chance to reaffirm the essential truth of John Prescott's commitment.· Will you raise my profits?-Are you realistic about your chances of gaining this position?· Robert Carnwath feared that the Act was so confused that we could not go to court with a realistic chance of winning.· Why Forbes thought that he stood a realistic chance of success this year is a question that baffled observers.· Failure to accept that a field landing is necessary Be realistic about the chances of finding lift low down.· So do Portsmouth have any realistic chance of winning?
VERB· Van Rensburg perhaps fancies his chances in the red and white.· Chap at the far end of the bar in a grey pin-stripe clearly fancied his chances.· I hadn't been sober and I'd quite fancied my chances with one of the birds.· If you fancy your chances at bigger shows think about a registered Mountain and Moorland for a fraction of the price.· They certainly fancied their chances in the next event: swimming.· They are beginning to quietly fancy their chances at Stamford Bridge.· If you fancy your chances, contact Carolyn Andrews at the public affairs department who will send you the necessary registration forms.· I saw his fancy woman by chance one day.
· But we didn't get that chance.· By the time I got my chance at the cash register, my white friends had been promoted to management.· It didn't get its chance.· Bill Pulliam gets a chance at the girl for once as the brother, with Peter Gallagher as the comatose one.· They hope he gets the chance to prove on Saturday, that he's value for money.· He got his first chance on the early August day that Mayor George Miller awarded him the one-year job.· We visit the charming sheep and I get a chance to wear my wellingtons after all.· He knew then he'd got a chance of winning.
· As McKinsey laments, given half a chance they revert to old habits.· You give them a chance to think, they get scared.· The Tesco Cares campaign gives us all a chance to help.· They asked my mom questions, and then they gave me a chance to say something after all the stuff was done.· Most importantly, it gives you both a chance to test whether the relationship could and will work long term.· Of the six, only Brown is given a chance of returning for the Dallas game.· In my opinion, they didn't give him a chance.· Once the leader in polls here, he now languishes in fourth place and is given no chance of winning.
· Any success that could be claimed to the credit of St Mary's Hospital improved its chances of acquiring much needed donations.· Why, they wonder, does the one perpetuate low-performance patterns, while the other improves the chances for organizational success?· That would put a lighter burden on the prosecution, and improve the chances of convicting an offender.· It is easiest to see this in attempts to improve one's chances of promotion.· To improve your chances of sleeping through the night, lower the heat and try running a humidifier during the night.· Another practical step you can take to improve your chances is to take control of your feelings.· There are a number of lifestyle changes you can make to improve your chances of beating a mild depression.
· Mary's natural tendency to fly into a temper probably did not increase their chances very much.· If she is 14 rather than 10, it could increase her chances of getting to keep her child, Hay said.· When a dictator decides to liberalise his regime he increases his chances of being ousted.· The only defendant to testify was Salaam, a move which most observers saw as having increased his chances of conviction.· Those who inherit one gene have an increased chance of acquiring cancers later in life.· Thus issue of pasting in photographs etc. would be resolved and so increase the chances of having the complete story.· For such clients, setting intermediate goals increases the chances of initial success, which will keep their motivation up.
· Con had jumped at the chance of taking Cedric and the pair had apparently settled in happily together.· Not all the associations are jumping at the chance to buy and sell derivatives.· Her business mind had jumped at the chance of a spot of international acclaim.· I jumped at the chance to go buy a bottle of whisky to keep warm in the rushing cold air of night.· I signed him for Middlesbrough, and I jumped at the chance to sign him again here.· Mrs Froggat jumped at the chance.· Many stars have jumped at the chance to appear in Morse which is transmitted worldwide.· Actor, Anthony Hopkins, explains that he jumped at the chance to play a part in the film.
· In this way, we lost any realistic chance to reaffirm the essential truth of John Prescott's commitment.· He also knew that the next few minutes could lose what chance had so miraculously delivered up to him at long last.· Although the company lost, chances of success would be greatly improved under the proposed legislation.· The obvious implication is that many asylum seekers may miss the deadline and lose the chance to appeal.· So Oklahoma won the game, but the Sooners' quarterback lost his chance.· But by failing to register in time you will have lost the chance of being given preference in allocation.· He lost 19 years of freedom and lost his chance at the world middleweight boxing title.
· But Haylock and Gorman missed enough chances to make it five.· The Lakers also missed a chance to win their eighth straight road game, something they last accomplished in 1973.· I knew I'd missed my chance when that happened.· Don't miss your chance to enjoy the ultimate maritime lifestyle in 1991!· The Spartans missed one final chance to catch up.· Trust Spittals not to miss a chance to get into the papers, thought Dexter with a snort.· I miss the chance to swap stories with friends.
· Haywood High school is offering them the chance to attend weekly masterclasses, to stretch their minds that bit more.· The company offers college students a chance to learn management of a company and earn money during their summer breaks.· But it would at least offer a chance of a positive political development.· He sent Meekins, the officer, to a secret administrative hearing that offered no chance of jail.· Why are we offering you the chance of such a fantastic windfall?· The scheme offers the company the chance of a four-fold rise in audiences for a two-fold increase in money.· Yesterday he was offered the chance to pull out of part of it and go home because of his domestic troubles.· Today's proliferating new technologies seem to offer advertisers the chance to reach this holy grail.
· There are several measures which might reduce the chances of a suicide attempt in an individual at risk.· And the first ladies' gowns were placed on soft body mannequins to reduce the chance of tearing.· Those who stop smoking considerably reduce their chance of developing one of these diseases.· They may reduce your chance of getting heart disease.· This uses up energy, weakening the plant and reducing its chances of producing viable fruit.· That would reduce his chances of missing something almost to nil.· One proposal by the commission would reduce the market's chances of working efficiently.
· He's decided to come into motor sport and stands a good chance.· He figured he stood better chances shooting it out with federal agents who had more firepower.· Even fully fit he would have stood little chance against the oriental, who was an expert in martial arts combat.· Or are the few crabs that we see so voracious that any new recruit stands little chance of survival?· With a wounded arm and leg, he stood no chance at all.· The plants stand a better chance of rebounding if you had them in the garage or some area that provided protection.· Following this strategy you stand a good chance of getting what you need.· But he does stand a good chance of profoundly damaging the candidacy of Bob Dole.
· There are still those who prefer to take their chances in the profession without any formal training.· Nobody took any more chances with this turn of events.· I will not allow Ana to take the chance either.· You have to take chances for peace, just as you must take chances in war.· Even though I only have to walk around the dancers, he's taking no chances.· They squawked that Jack was robbing them again, taking away their chance to make a big tourist dollar.· People take the chances that come their way.· But since they were always feuding with somebody, and Kelly was still party boss, Daley took the chance.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► any chance of ...?► no chance!/fat chance!► chance would be a fine thing!PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► not stand/have a cat in hell’s chance (of doing something)► not have a dog’s chance► an eye for/on/to the main chance► a mathematical chance (of something)► seize a chance/an opportunity/the initiative► not have a snowball’s chance in hell
1possibility [countable, uncountable] the possibility that something will happen, especially something you want: - He told me that if I kept running well, I was in with a chance.
- I felt that my running was improving as the season progressed and that I was in with a chance.
- It seems that even Toulouse-Lautrec thinks he is in with a chance.
- Opinion polls, though not very reliable, show that Kostunica is in with a chance.
- To be in with a chance of winning simply complete this Eric Clapton song Wonderful ... ...
- To be in with a chance of winning, just name the lead singers of Guns N' Roses and Nirvana.
- I keep all of my old clothes on the off chance that they might come back into fashion.
- I asked him on the off chance.
- Much effort went into tracing remote family connections abroad on the off chance of identifying a benefactor.
- She thought of ringing him on the off chance of catching him at the flat, but shelved the possibility as unlikely.
- He persuaded the record company to take a chance on the band, and it became a huge hit.
- Isaacs chanced it with a long three-point shot at goal in the last minute of the game.
- She knew she was taking a chance, but she decided to buy the house anyway.
- There are a lot of people in the movie industry who are afraid to take chances and do new things.
- Victor took a chance and set up his own company, which has been very successful.
- Bernstein decided to take a chance.
- He had begun to take chances.
- It might not happen, but it is never worth taking a chance.
- Looking back, Andrew Ory acknowledges he was both brash and naive, but willing to take chances.
- The great champions were aggressive, took chances.
- There are a lot of people here who are afraid to take chances and do new things.
- You have to take chances for peace, just as you must take chances in war.
- What are your chances of getting a college scholarship?
- Would you, by any chance, know where a pay phone is?
- Are they, as Private Eye might say, by any chance related?
- But before you call anyone, find out if by any chance he has a telephone number in Marshfield.
- Can anyone out there tell me what frequency Radio 5 broadcasts on ... by any chance on shortwave?
- Do you feel, by any chance, awful?
- Does my right hon. Friend by any chance recollect the average inflation rate under the last Labour Government?
- I wanted to ask her if she was, by any chance, called Veronica, but I didn't dare.
- Is Mr Sands awake by any chance?
- Is there a connection between Jack Benny and Charles Manson, by any chance?
- There is a suggestion that offspring do not have an even chance of inheriting a trait from either parent.
- There was always better than an even chance of something like this happening.
- I thought about letting it ring, but there was a faint hope that it might be Sally.
- If it can startle the predator in some way, there is a faint chance that the enemy may panic and flee.
- That uncertainty urges us to look beyond the present, with a faint hope to control our future.
- There remained a faint possibility that Newley would try to identify the person who collected the money.
- You want tickets for the big game? Fat chance.
- There is fat chance of that for as long as the Government allows the banks to carry on with their grasping one-way policy.
- All children must have a fighting chance at a good education.
- And that has encouraged the Geordies to believe they still have a fighting chance of keeping him.
- Central defender Tony Mowbray believes his former team have a fighting chance at Old Trafford.
- Poker is a game of chance.
- Predicting the outcome is a game of chance.
- Is there a ghost of a chance that any of these stories are true?
- As McKinsey laments, given half a chance they revert to old habits.
- Given half a chance, his body was healing, repairing itself.
- If the people are given half a chance there is hope for a return to it's colourful and vibrant past.
- It's the trees they go for, given half a chance.
- It possesses a large number of small but very sharp teeth and can inflict a painful bite if given half a chance.
- That's nothing on how good they could be, given half a chance.
- You had to grow up and get into the lycée to have half a chance with him.
- It would be naive to believe that there aren't lots of people who would leap at the opportunity.
- Some may leap at the chance.
- Jim assured him that hearing me sing was the experience of a lifetime, but Dad wasn't having that.
- There is also the chance of a lifetime for the talented teams who win through to the final.
- This was the chance of a lifetime.
- We are offering the experience of a lifetime, and it seems to appeal to people from all over the world.
- Akinbiyi was next up to try his luck after 25 minutes, following a great break from the left touchline.
- And if Mr. Birt does find himself out of a job, he could always try his luck as a timeshare salesman.
- But the next time Berger tried his luck, it produced a spectacular dividend.
- He squatted down with a stick to try his luck.
- Moments later Pauleta tried his luck with a fizzing 30-yarder, but Shay Given got a hand to it.
- Well, I strongly recommend that you try your luck on any wide verges close to towns.
- Why not try your luck and help others at the same time?
- Without a pub to be seen for miles we decided to try our luck in the bar of the hilton.
- It would be unforgivable to miss this opportunity to travel.
- He didn't miss an opportunity.
- He must not miss a chance when it comes through being preoccupied with something else.
- History was being catalogued here, the missed opportunities, blunders, and outright mistakes.
- However, though I had missed a chance, the advantages were now all on my side and distinctly in my favour.
- It was a missed opportunity that they might never regain.
- Now, as many times before, the City is missing a chance to put the system right.
- The missed opportunities and hidden costs for Zappo were enormous.
- The snakes are sometimes hard to find, so the Webers never miss a chance to make a kill.
- I called on the off-chance that Patty might be home.
- I just came on the off-chance.
- I rang Otto on the off-chance.
- I walked over to the wardrobe and opened the door just on the off-chance.
- It was a long way to drive on the off-chance that something would come of it.
- The card is too expensive on the off-chance I could get in an away game during the season.
- There was no time to contact him, so I came on the off-chance.
- Here are two more from the downs with an outside chance and one from Wendover in Buckinghamshire.
- Norman pitched his into the heart of the green and had an outside chance for birdie.
- Some shrewd Iowa pols also see an outside chance for former Gov.
- There is also an outside chance Cadbury may itself be a bid target.
- But few analysts rate the chances of Washington's prefered successors very highly.
- But officials will not rate the survival chances above 50 percent until a month after birth.
- How high do you rate my chances?
- I didn't really rate his chances of living that long.
- The doctors rated his chances as virtually nil.
- Boone will have to prove in his second chance that he can delegate and teach.
- Creative football that created the big chance - a second chance at Wembley.
- Fornek got a second chance at close range as Gingrich was leaving the luncheon.
- He'd been offered a second chance of salvation.
- In what other sports is a participant allowed a second chance because of failure?
- It was his addled understanding of the rules of warfare that the marksman should be given a second chance.
- Or that rarity, a second chance?
- You don't get a second chance - fatal wounds stay fatal.
- But whether the parent with the yellow flowers supplies the egg or the pollen makes not the slightest difference.
- I tried closing my eyes; it made not the slightest difference.
- There was now not the slightest doubt that Hsu was decaying and losing her structural integrity.
- After all, you are meant to give the quarry a sporting chance.
- You'll stand a better chance of getting a job with a degree.
- C., woman fumed outside the museum where a crowd stood hoping to get a ticket to hear Wiesel.
- Dougal didn't struggle: even if he could have got out of the duvet, he wouldn't have stood a chance.
- In the face of Queeensrÿche they didn't stand a chance.
- No Labour rethink that ignores this will stand a chance of success in the future.
- Schools from across the country craved his talents, but only two stood a chance.
- The rest must keep pace if they are to stand a chance-advertising works.
- The women stand a chance in the foil competition with Charlene DiMiceli.
- This was the crunch match they really had to win to stand a chance of staying up.
There’s always the chance that something will go wrong.chance of What are the team’s chances of success? If we did move to London, I’d stand a much better chance (=have a much better chance) of getting a job. There is little chance of her being found alive. Chances are (=it is likely that) you’ll be fine.2opportunity [countable] a time or situation which you can use to do something that you want to do SYN opportunitychance to do something Ralph was waiting for a chance to introduce himself.chance of our only chance of escape I’m sorry, I haven’t had a chance to look at it yet. If someone invited me over to Florida, I’d jump at the chance (=use the opportunity eagerly).3risk take a chance to do something that involves risks: The rope might break, but that’s a chance we’ll have to take. After losing $20,000 on my last business venture, I’m not taking any chances this time.chance on He was taking a chance on a relatively new young actor. He decided to take his chances in the boat.4likely to succeed somebody’s chances how likely it is that someone will succeed: 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.not fancy/not rate somebody’s chances British English (=think someone is unlikely to succeed) I don’t fancy their chances against Brazil. ► Don’t say ‘someone’s chances to do something’. Say someone’s chances of doing something.5luck [uncountable] the way some things happen without being planned or caused by peopleby chance I bumped into her quite by chance in Oxford Street.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.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. As chance would have it, the one time I wanted to see her, she wasn’t in.6by any chance spoken used to ask politely whether something is true: Are you Mrs Grant, by any chance?7any chance of ...? spoken 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?8be in with a chance 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.9no chance!/fat chance! spoken used to emphasize that you are sure something could never happen: ‘Maybe your brother would lend you the money?’ ‘Huh, fat chance!’10on the off chance 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-chance11chance would be a fine thing! British English spoken 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!’ → game of chance at game1(15)COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 1verbshave/stand a chance (of something) (=it is possible you will do it)· I think you have a good chance of getting the job.give somebody a chance of doing something (=say how likely it is that they will do it)· He has been given a fifty-fifty chance of being fit for Sunday’s match.increase the chance of something· Certain foods increase the chance of heart disease.improve the chance of something· The book shows you how to improve your chance of success.reduce/lessen the chance of something· The talks were aimed at reducing the chance of war.ruin any chance of something (=make it impossible for something to happen)· Drinking alcohol can ruin any chance of weight loss.jeopardize any chance of something (=make something less likely to happen)· This could jeopardize any chance of a ceasefire.adjectivesa good chance (=when something is likely)· I think there is a good chance that he will say yes.every chance (=a good chance)· There’s every chance that the baby will survive.some chance· There’s some chance of snow later this week.a small/slight/slim chance· He only has a very small chance of being elected.· There’s a slight chance of some sunshine in the west.no/little/not much chance· The prisoners knew there was little chance of escape.a one in three/four/ten etc chance (=used to say how likely something is)· People in their 30s have a one in 3,000 chance of getting the disease.a fair chance (=a fairly good chance)· If you work, you have a fair chance of passing the test.a sporting chance (=a fairly good chance)· The proposals had at least a sporting chance of being accepted.a fighting chance (=a small but real chance)· The Republican Party has a fighting chance at the next election.a fifty-fifty chance (=an equal chance that something will or will not happen)· I’d say there is a 50–50 chance that the deal will go through.an outside/a remote chance (=a very small chance)· He still has an outside chance of winning the championship.a million-to-one chance/a one in a million chance (=when something is extremely unlikely)· It must have been a million-to-one chance that we’d meet.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2verbsget/have a chance to do something· I’d like a job in which I get the chance to travel.give somebody/offer/provide a chance· I was given the chance to play the main part in the play.· Sport provides a chance for you to get outside with friends.take a chance (=accept an opportunity)· If I was offered the chance to be in the team, I’d take it.jump at a chance (=use an opportunity eagerly)· Ed jumped at the chance to earn some extra money.grab/seize a chance (=quickly use an opportunity)· As soon as she stopped speaking, I grabbed the chance to leave.miss/lose a chance (=not use an opportunity)· He missed a chance to score just before half time.throw away/pass up/turn down a chance (=not accept or use an opportunity)· Imagine throwing up a chance to go to America!welcome the chance to do something· I’d welcome the chance to discuss the problem with someone.deserve a chance· Every kid deserves a chance in life.blow a chance informal (=have a special opportunity and fail to use it)· He thought he’d blown his chance of happiness.adjectivesa second chance/another chance· The interview went badly, so I didn’t think they would give me a second chance.somebody’s last chance· This is my last chance to try and pass the exam.phrasesthe chance of a lifetime (=one that you are very unlikely to have again)· If you don’t decide soon, you’ll have missed the chance of a lifetime.now’s your chance spoken (=you have the opportunity to do something now)· You’re not working so now’s your chance to write a book.given the chance/given half a chance (=if there is an opportunity to do something)· Goats will eat anything, given half a chance.chance1 nounchance2 verbchance3 adjective
chancechance2 verb VERB TABLE
chance
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | chance |
| he, she, it | chances | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | chanced |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have chanced |
| he, she, it | has chanced | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had chanced |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will chance |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have chanced |
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- Before we had received a reply, Fitzroy Maclean chanced to call at my office.
- He chanced it with the bouncers.
- There they chanced on the ruins of a temple, where among the broken walls an old monk had established his hermitage.
- They concealed the horses and made camp among the trees, out of sight of anyone who chanced to pass during the night.
Longman Language Activatorwhen something happens without being planned
if something happens by chance , it happens unexpectedly and seems to have no particular cause: · I met an old friend by chance on the train.· If by chance I'm not in when she calls, can you take a message?quite/purely/entirely by chance (=completely by chance): · Quite by chance, a TV crew was filming in the area when the accident happened.
if you do something by accident , you do it by chance and without intending to do it: · Fleming discovered penicillin almost by accident.· We ended up by accident on the wrong train and had to ride all the way to Montreal.· The trigger of the gun is locked so that it cannot be fired by accident.quite by accident (=completely by chance): · Lombardi heard about their plan quite by accident.
if you happen to do something , you do it by chance and not because of any particular reason or plan: · Justin forgot the map but I happened to have another one in the glove compartment.just happen to do something: · I'm sorry I didn't phone first -- I just happened to be passing and thought I'd drop in.· We're not related -- we just happen to have the same name.
use this to say that something happened by chance, when this is connected with what you have just been talking about: · This was the first time I had ever seen a panda, and as luck would have it, I had my camera with me.· As luck would have it, it rained the next day and the game was canceled.
a surprising situation in which two things happen that are similar or seem connected, but no-one planned or intended this to happen: · Hi Phil. What a coincidence -- we were just talking about you.by coincidence: · My mother is called Anna, and by coincidence my wife's mother is called Anna too.just a coincidence: · It was just a coincidence that we were in Paris at the same time.by a strange/sad/happy etc coincidence: · By a strange coincidence the king was assassinated on the very spot where his grandfather had been killed.
the way in which good or bad things seem to happen to people by chance: · There's no skill in a game like roulette, it's all luck.· Success is not a matter of chance - it takes a lot of hard work.pure luck/chance: · It was pure chance that we ran into each other on the street.leave something to chance (=let things happen by chance): · You must plan ahead. You can't leave these things to chance.
the power or force that is supposed to control the way everything happens, so that people cannot completely control their own lives: · It was fate that brought us together.· They saw themselves as victims of fate.by a twist of fate (=because fate made things happen in an unexpected way): · By a strange twist of fate the judge died on the very day that Cordell was executed.
something that happens by chance with no plan or intention: · I only met her again through a fortunate accident.· It is no accident that most of the country's outstanding public schools are in wealthy communities.
use this when you are talking about a situation that is surprising because by chance it is connected with something else that has been noticed or mentioned: · We've just seen a really beautiful house and, as it happens, it's for sale.· I needed to borrow a car, and as it happened Andrew wasn't using his.
happening by chance: chance meeting/remark/discovery etc a meeting etc that happens unexpectedly and was not planned or arranged: · Their friendship was the result of a chance meeting.· A chance encounter at the conference gave him the opportunity to tell the professor about his work.· Wilson hoped his chance discovery would benefit poor families in developing nations.
happening by chance, without being planned or intended, especially in a way that has a bad result : · Are you insured against accidental damage to your property?· A system of valves limits accidental releases of the substance.
formal happening by chance, especially in a way that has a good result: · A fortuitous fire destroyed all evidence of his wrongdoing.
when things are done, chosen etc by chance if you do or choose things at random , you do or choose them without using any plan or system: · The forms were distributed at random to people passing by.· While he waited, he picked up a magazine, turned to a page at random, and started reading.· Twenty students were chosen at random to take part in the experiment.
something that is random is done or chosen without using any plan or system: · The union believes that the random drug testing of employees is an invasion of their privacy.· A few random shots were fired, but the battle was over.
something that is arbitrary is decided or arranged without any reason, plan, or system, especially in a way that seems unfair: · The way the programme of events is organized seems completely arbitrary to me.· The fans complained about the apparently arbitrary distribution of tickets for the next game.
when you have the chance to do something a situation in which it is possible for you to do something enjoyable, useful, or exciting, or something that you want to do: chance to do something: · I never got the chance to thank him for all his help.· It's a beautiful building - you should go and see it if you have a chance.give somebody a/the chance to do something: · I wish he'd just give me the chance to explain.take the chance to do something (=use a chance when you have it): · You should take the chance to travel while you are still young.chance for somebody to do something: · "Back to School Night" will be a chance for parents to meet their child's teacher.somebody's last chance (=when you will not have another chance): · It was her last chance to see him before she left town.
a chance to do something, especially something that is important or useful to you, or something that you want to do very much: · It was too good an opportunity to pass up.opportunity to do something: · All he needs is an opportunity to show his ability.opportunity of doing something: · After they had refused him the opportunity of improving his position, he resigned.opportunity for somebody to do something: · We see this as an exciting opportunity for our companies to work together.have an/the opportunity (to do something): · She was delighted to have an opportunity to talk with someone who shared her interest in classical music.equal opportunities (=the same opportunities as other people): · All over the world women are demanding equal opportunities.
informal a sudden or unexpected chance to do something, especially to be successful in your job: · Gary wants to work in television. He's just waiting for a break.lucky break: · Seeing that advertisement in the paper was a lucky break for me.big break: · Nimoy's big break in television came in the mid-'60s, when he won the role of Spock on "Star Trek".
· I got a grant from my university to study in the USA for a year. It's a golden opportunity!a golden opportunity (for somebody) to do something · The management course is being paid for by the company and it's a golden opportunity to improve your skills.
the chance to do something very exciting or important that you might never be able to do again: · This job is the chance of a lifetime. You'd be a fool not to take it.· If you don't hurry up and make a decision, you could miss the chance of a lifetime.
a chance to do things you want to do, in the way that you want to do them. Scope is more formal than room: · He refused the post because he felt it didn't offer him much scope.room/scope for: · There will always be room for debate and disagreement in this class.· I have two jobs, which doesn't leave much room for socializing.· Despite our recent success, there is still scope for improvement.room/scope to do something: · We've left the course deliberately vague, so there's room to concentrate on your particular areas of interest.· Better paid labour means greater scope to increase the company's profits.
the chance of being successful at something in the future, especially your job: · He had no job, no family, no home, no prospects.· Employers are now offering more jobs with quality training and excellent career prospects.prospects for: · The prospects for an alliance between the two nations do not look good.
the chance to do something: possibility for: · The possibilities for improvement are endless.· We need to investigate all possibilities for helping these children.
to give someone an opportunity to do something, for example the opportunity to do a particular job: · My experience in the Peace Corps really opened doors for me when I started looking for a job.· Alice Coachman's Olympic success opened the door for generations of African-American track athletes.
to use an opportunity: take the opportunity to do something · I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your help.take the opportunity of doing something · I'm going to take every opportunity of going to see Brian while he's living in Germany.
informal to quickly use an opportunity to do something, especially when you think you might not get another chance: · It may be the last time he offers you the job so I'd grab the chance while you can.grab the chance to do something: · Knowing how difficult it is to find a job I grabbed the chance to be trained as an electrician.
to eagerly and quickly use an opportunity to do something: · The early retirement plan is excellent and I'm surprised that people haven't jumped at the opportunity.jump at the chance/opportunity to do something: · When the resort was put up for sale, the Millers jumped at the chance to buy it.· She thought Lewis would jump at the opportunity to make some extra money on weekends.jump at the chance/opportunity of doing something: · Who wouldn't jump at the chance of spending a month in Australia?
to do something quickly, while you are in a situation in which you are most likely to be successful: · Don't wait until tomorrow before you tell him, strike while the iron is hot!
spoken to take the opportunity to do something now while the conditions are good, because you might not be able to do it later: · Let's make hay while the sun shines and finish this project before I start falling asleep.
someone who always looks for and takes opportunities that might make them more successful -- used to show disapproval: · It is difficult to tell whether he really wants to help May or whether he is just an opportunist.· As the finance company started to fail a few opportunists managed to make more money out of it.
to not use an opportunity: miss a chance/an opportunity of · Denise never misses the chance of a free meal.miss a chance/an opportunity to do something · Don't miss this great opportunity to fly for half price.· Dan never misses an opportunity to remind me that I still owe him money.miss your chance/opportunity · Jerry's already sold the car to someone else. You've missed your chance.
to not use the chance to do something enjoyable or useful, especially when this is not a good thing: · If you don't come to the picnic you'll miss out on all the fun.· I don't want to be the type of father who is so busy he misses out on his daughter's childhood.
informal to waste a chance that you had to do or get something good: · Don't panic and talk too much in the interview or you'll really blow it.· I was afraid I'd blown my chance but she agreed to go out again on Saturday night.blow your chances of doing something: · She started running much too fast at the beginning and blew her chances of winning the race.
informal to be too late to use an opportunity to do something good: · Buy your shares in the company now or you'll miss the boat.· He didn't get his application in early enough so he missed the boat.
to not use a good opportunity when you are able to, especially an opportunity that you will not get again: · We had an opportunity to win the championship last season and we let it slip through our fingers.
an opportunity that you wasted by not using it to become successful, enjoy yourself etc: · If you don't take the job it'll just be another lost opportunity in your life.
to unexpectedly find something that you were not looking for · We found a lovely seafood restaurant by the harbour.· The body was discovered by a man walking his dog.· It wasn't until I got to university that I discovered poetry.
to find something unexpectedly when you are not looking for it but are doing something else: · I came across an interesting news item in yesterday's 'Times'.· Digging in the garden, she came across some pieces of bone.
to find something by chance and unexpectedly, especially something that was secret or that no one knew before: · The officers stumbled across the drugs when they stopped Moyers for a routine traffic violation.· Fleming was carrying out other research when he stumbled on penicillin.· Some people believe that Jenkins was murdered by government agents because he stumbled across a military secret.
written to find a place or thing that you were not deliberately looking for, or meet someone you did not know you would meet, especially when you consider this a good or lucky thing to have happened: · We happened upon a beautiful little hotel about an hour outside of Tours.· I was walking home from the station when I happened upon Richard.· Leafing through a magazine, I chanced upon a photo of an old high school friend, Robert Mason.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY I wasn’t sure if I’d got quite enough petrol to get me home, but I decided to chance it. We decided not to chance our luck in the storm. She’d never played before, but she was ready to chance her arm (=take a risk by doing something which may fail). It chanced that we both went to Paris that year.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES It afforded her the opportunity to improve her tennis skills. We’ve blown our chances of getting that contract. Bernstein began training the young musician after a chance encounter at a concert (=a meeting that happened by chance). I think we have an even chance of winning. There is every chance that he will recover. I don’t fancy our chances of getting a ticket this late. a fifty-fifty chance of winning They don’t stand a ghost of a chance of winning. These meetings give everyone a chance to express their opinions. They were glad of the chance to finally get some sleep. Our team has a good chance of winning (=is fairly likely to win). I think you should grab your chance to travel while you’re young. I’d go to university if I got half the chance. Many kids would sleep till noon given half a chance. If by any chance you can’t manage dinner tonight, perhaps we can at least have a drink together. He’s not the sort to leave things to chance (=take no action and just wait to see what happens). Exercise lessens the risk of heart disease. If you hesitate, you may lose the opportunity to compete altogether. The career center will help you maximize your opportunities. It was a chance in a million that we’d find a fossil. The course offers the opportunity to specialize in the final year. I don’t think you should pass up the opportunity to go to university. A criminal record will prejudice your chances of getting a job. It happened purely by chance. He relishes the chance to play Hamlet. There’s a remote chance that you can catch him before he leaves. I just want to give these kids a second chance. There’s only a slim chance that anyone survived the crash.
I wasn’t sure if I’d got quite enough petrol to get me home, but I decided to chance it. We decided not to chance our luck in the storm. She’d never played before, but she was ready to chance her arm (=take a risk by doing something which may fail). It chanced that we both went to Paris that year. It afforded her the opportunity to improve her tennis skills. We’ve blown our chances of getting that contract.· Everybody deserves a second chance.
(=happening by chance)· Some of the tombs were the result of chance discoveries.
Bernstein began training the young musician after a chance encounter at a concert (=a meeting that happened by chance).· The river offered our only hope of escape.
I think we have an even chance of winning. There is every chance that he will recover.· The debate will give MPs an opportunity to express their views in detail.
(=it is quite likely that something will happen) There’s a fair chance we’ll be coming over to England this summer.
There’s a fair chance we’ll be coming over to England this summer. I don’t fancy our chances of getting a ticket this late. a fifty-fifty chance of winning They don’t stand a ghost of a chance of winning. These meetings give everyone a chance to express their opinions. They were glad of the chance to finally get some sleep. Our team has a good chance of winning (=is fairly likely to win). I think you should grab your chance to travel while you’re young. I’d go to university if I got half the chance. Many kids would sleep till noon given half a chance. If by any chance you can’t manage dinner tonight, perhaps we can at least have a drink together. He’s not the sort to leave things to chance (=take no action and just wait to see what happens). Exercise lessens the risk of heart disease. If you hesitate, you may lose the opportunity to compete altogether. The career center will help you maximize your opportunities. It was a chance in a million that we’d find a fossil. The course offers the opportunity to specialize in the final year. I don’t think you should pass up the opportunity to go to university. A criminal record will prejudice your chances of getting a job.· He had discovered the truth by pure chance.
It happened purely by chance.· We felt we had a realistic chance of beating England.
He relishes the chance to play Hamlet. (=one that is not planned or intended)· I found out about their relationship from a chance remark Teddy made at dinner.
There’s a remote chance that you can catch him before he leaves. I just want to give these kids a second chance. There’s only a slim chance that anyone survived the crash.· They have a good chance of success.
· He knew that his chances of survival were small.
(=they have no chance of success) Mike’s chances of winning are virtually zero. From 1971 to 1976 West Vancouver experienced zero population growth.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN Mike’s chances of winning are virtually zero. From 1971 to 1976 West Vancouver experienced zero population growth.· I assumed he was chancing his arm.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► not stand/have a cat in hell’s chance (of doing something)► not have a dog’s chance► an eye for/on/to the main chance► a mathematical chance (of something)► seize a chance/an opportunity/the initiative► not have a snowball’s chance in hell
1[transitive] to do something that you know involves a risk: - There is a suggestion that offspring do not have an even chance of inheriting a trait from either parent.
- There was always better than an even chance of something like this happening.
- I thought about letting it ring, but there was a faint hope that it might be Sally.
- If it can startle the predator in some way, there is a faint chance that the enemy may panic and flee.
- That uncertainty urges us to look beyond the present, with a faint hope to control our future.
- There remained a faint possibility that Newley would try to identify the person who collected the money.
- You want tickets for the big game? Fat chance.
- There is fat chance of that for as long as the Government allows the banks to carry on with their grasping one-way policy.
- All children must have a fighting chance at a good education.
- And that has encouraged the Geordies to believe they still have a fighting chance of keeping him.
- Central defender Tony Mowbray believes his former team have a fighting chance at Old Trafford.
- Poker is a game of chance.
- Predicting the outcome is a game of chance.
- Is there a ghost of a chance that any of these stories are true?
- As McKinsey laments, given half a chance they revert to old habits.
- Given half a chance, his body was healing, repairing itself.
- If the people are given half a chance there is hope for a return to it's colourful and vibrant past.
- It's the trees they go for, given half a chance.
- It possesses a large number of small but very sharp teeth and can inflict a painful bite if given half a chance.
- That's nothing on how good they could be, given half a chance.
- You had to grow up and get into the lycée to have half a chance with him.
- It would be naive to believe that there aren't lots of people who would leap at the opportunity.
- Some may leap at the chance.
- Jim assured him that hearing me sing was the experience of a lifetime, but Dad wasn't having that.
- There is also the chance of a lifetime for the talented teams who win through to the final.
- This was the chance of a lifetime.
- We are offering the experience of a lifetime, and it seems to appeal to people from all over the world.
- Akinbiyi was next up to try his luck after 25 minutes, following a great break from the left touchline.
- And if Mr. Birt does find himself out of a job, he could always try his luck as a timeshare salesman.
- But the next time Berger tried his luck, it produced a spectacular dividend.
- He squatted down with a stick to try his luck.
- Moments later Pauleta tried his luck with a fizzing 30-yarder, but Shay Given got a hand to it.
- Well, I strongly recommend that you try your luck on any wide verges close to towns.
- Why not try your luck and help others at the same time?
- Without a pub to be seen for miles we decided to try our luck in the bar of the hilton.
- It would be unforgivable to miss this opportunity to travel.
- He didn't miss an opportunity.
- He must not miss a chance when it comes through being preoccupied with something else.
- History was being catalogued here, the missed opportunities, blunders, and outright mistakes.
- However, though I had missed a chance, the advantages were now all on my side and distinctly in my favour.
- It was a missed opportunity that they might never regain.
- Now, as many times before, the City is missing a chance to put the system right.
- The missed opportunities and hidden costs for Zappo were enormous.
- The snakes are sometimes hard to find, so the Webers never miss a chance to make a kill.
- I called on the off-chance that Patty might be home.
- I just came on the off-chance.
- I rang Otto on the off-chance.
- I walked over to the wardrobe and opened the door just on the off-chance.
- It was a long way to drive on the off-chance that something would come of it.
- The card is too expensive on the off-chance I could get in an away game during the season.
- There was no time to contact him, so I came on the off-chance.
- Here are two more from the downs with an outside chance and one from Wendover in Buckinghamshire.
- Norman pitched his into the heart of the green and had an outside chance for birdie.
- Some shrewd Iowa pols also see an outside chance for former Gov.
- There is also an outside chance Cadbury may itself be a bid target.
- But few analysts rate the chances of Washington's prefered successors very highly.
- But officials will not rate the survival chances above 50 percent until a month after birth.
- How high do you rate my chances?
- I didn't really rate his chances of living that long.
- The doctors rated his chances as virtually nil.
- Boone will have to prove in his second chance that he can delegate and teach.
- Creative football that created the big chance - a second chance at Wembley.
- Fornek got a second chance at close range as Gingrich was leaving the luncheon.
- He'd been offered a second chance of salvation.
- In what other sports is a participant allowed a second chance because of failure?
- It was his addled understanding of the rules of warfare that the marksman should be given a second chance.
- Or that rarity, a second chance?
- You don't get a second chance - fatal wounds stay fatal.
- But whether the parent with the yellow flowers supplies the egg or the pollen makes not the slightest difference.
- I tried closing my eyes; it made not the slightest difference.
- There was now not the slightest doubt that Hsu was decaying and losing her structural integrity.
- After all, you are meant to give the quarry a sporting chance.
- You'll stand a better chance of getting a job with a degree.
- C., woman fumed outside the museum where a crowd stood hoping to get a ticket to hear Wiesel.
- Dougal didn't struggle: even if he could have got out of the duvet, he wouldn't have stood a chance.
- In the face of Queeensrÿche they didn't stand a chance.
- No Labour rethink that ignores this will stand a chance of success in the future.
- Schools from across the country craved his talents, but only two stood a chance.
- The rest must keep pace if they are to stand a chance-advertising works.
- The women stand a chance in the foil competition with Charlene DiMiceli.
- This was the crunch match they really had to win to stand a chance of staying up.
I wasn’t sure if I’d got quite enough petrol to get me home, but I decided to chance it. We decided not to chance our luck in the storm. She’d never played before, but she was ready to chance her arm (=take a risk by doing something which may fail).chance doing something I decided to stay where I was. I couldn’t chance being seen.2[intransitive] literary to happen in a way which is not expected and not plannedchance to do something She chanced to be passing when I came out of the house. It chanced that we both went to Paris that year.chance on/upon/across somebody/something phrasal verb formal to find something or meet someone when you are not expecting to: Henry chanced upon some valuable coins in the attic.chance1 nounchance2 verbchance3 adjective
chancechance3 adjective [only before noun] EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- A chance encounter at the conference gave him the opportunity to tell the professor about his work.
- Their friendship was the result of a chance meeting.
- Wilson hoped his chance discovery would benefit poor families in developing nations.
- I was not responsible for the chance encounter that allowed the virus to slip into my bloodstream in the summer of 1944.
- Official archaeology views it as the chance remains of a glacier.
- On the other hand, some archaeologists dismiss all leys as merely chance alignments without proper statistical investigation.
- Sometimes chance discovery directs research on to new and profitable lines.
- The chance look and request for a bed for the night brings Zacheaus down from his sycamore tree.
Longman Language Activatorwhen something happens without being planned
if something happens by chance , it happens unexpectedly and seems to have no particular cause: · I met an old friend by chance on the train.· If by chance I'm not in when she calls, can you take a message?quite/purely/entirely by chance (=completely by chance): · Quite by chance, a TV crew was filming in the area when the accident happened.
if you do something by accident , you do it by chance and without intending to do it: · Fleming discovered penicillin almost by accident.· We ended up by accident on the wrong train and had to ride all the way to Montreal.· The trigger of the gun is locked so that it cannot be fired by accident.quite by accident (=completely by chance): · Lombardi heard about their plan quite by accident.
if you happen to do something , you do it by chance and not because of any particular reason or plan: · Justin forgot the map but I happened to have another one in the glove compartment.just happen to do something: · I'm sorry I didn't phone first -- I just happened to be passing and thought I'd drop in.· We're not related -- we just happen to have the same name.
use this to say that something happened by chance, when this is connected with what you have just been talking about: · This was the first time I had ever seen a panda, and as luck would have it, I had my camera with me.· As luck would have it, it rained the next day and the game was canceled.
a surprising situation in which two things happen that are similar or seem connected, but no-one planned or intended this to happen: · Hi Phil. What a coincidence -- we were just talking about you.by coincidence: · My mother is called Anna, and by coincidence my wife's mother is called Anna too.just a coincidence: · It was just a coincidence that we were in Paris at the same time.by a strange/sad/happy etc coincidence: · By a strange coincidence the king was assassinated on the very spot where his grandfather had been killed.
the way in which good or bad things seem to happen to people by chance: · There's no skill in a game like roulette, it's all luck.· Success is not a matter of chance - it takes a lot of hard work.pure luck/chance: · It was pure chance that we ran into each other on the street.leave something to chance (=let things happen by chance): · You must plan ahead. You can't leave these things to chance.
the power or force that is supposed to control the way everything happens, so that people cannot completely control their own lives: · It was fate that brought us together.· They saw themselves as victims of fate.by a twist of fate (=because fate made things happen in an unexpected way): · By a strange twist of fate the judge died on the very day that Cordell was executed.
something that happens by chance with no plan or intention: · I only met her again through a fortunate accident.· It is no accident that most of the country's outstanding public schools are in wealthy communities.
use this when you are talking about a situation that is surprising because by chance it is connected with something else that has been noticed or mentioned: · We've just seen a really beautiful house and, as it happens, it's for sale.· I needed to borrow a car, and as it happened Andrew wasn't using his.
happening by chance: chance meeting/remark/discovery etc a meeting etc that happens unexpectedly and was not planned or arranged: · Their friendship was the result of a chance meeting.· A chance encounter at the conference gave him the opportunity to tell the professor about his work.· Wilson hoped his chance discovery would benefit poor families in developing nations.
happening by chance, without being planned or intended, especially in a way that has a bad result : · Are you insured against accidental damage to your property?· A system of valves limits accidental releases of the substance.
formal happening by chance, especially in a way that has a good result: · A fortuitous fire destroyed all evidence of his wrongdoing.
when things are done, chosen etc by chance if you do or choose things at random , you do or choose them without using any plan or system: · The forms were distributed at random to people passing by.· While he waited, he picked up a magazine, turned to a page at random, and started reading.· Twenty students were chosen at random to take part in the experiment.
something that is random is done or chosen without using any plan or system: · The union believes that the random drug testing of employees is an invasion of their privacy.· A few random shots were fired, but the battle was over.
something that is arbitrary is decided or arranged without any reason, plan, or system, especially in a way that seems unfair: · The way the programme of events is organized seems completely arbitrary to me.· The fans complained about the apparently arbitrary distribution of tickets for the next game.
when you have the chance to do something a situation in which it is possible for you to do something enjoyable, useful, or exciting, or something that you want to do: chance to do something: · I never got the chance to thank him for all his help.· It's a beautiful building - you should go and see it if you have a chance.give somebody a/the chance to do something: · I wish he'd just give me the chance to explain.take the chance to do something (=use a chance when you have it): · You should take the chance to travel while you are still young.chance for somebody to do something: · "Back to School Night" will be a chance for parents to meet their child's teacher.somebody's last chance (=when you will not have another chance): · It was her last chance to see him before she left town.
a chance to do something, especially something that is important or useful to you, or something that you want to do very much: · It was too good an opportunity to pass up.opportunity to do something: · All he needs is an opportunity to show his ability.opportunity of doing something: · After they had refused him the opportunity of improving his position, he resigned.opportunity for somebody to do something: · We see this as an exciting opportunity for our companies to work together.have an/the opportunity (to do something): · She was delighted to have an opportunity to talk with someone who shared her interest in classical music.equal opportunities (=the same opportunities as other people): · All over the world women are demanding equal opportunities.
informal a sudden or unexpected chance to do something, especially to be successful in your job: · Gary wants to work in television. He's just waiting for a break.lucky break: · Seeing that advertisement in the paper was a lucky break for me.big break: · Nimoy's big break in television came in the mid-'60s, when he won the role of Spock on "Star Trek".
· I got a grant from my university to study in the USA for a year. It's a golden opportunity!a golden opportunity (for somebody) to do something · The management course is being paid for by the company and it's a golden opportunity to improve your skills.
the chance to do something very exciting or important that you might never be able to do again: · This job is the chance of a lifetime. You'd be a fool not to take it.· If you don't hurry up and make a decision, you could miss the chance of a lifetime.
a chance to do things you want to do, in the way that you want to do them. Scope is more formal than room: · He refused the post because he felt it didn't offer him much scope.room/scope for: · There will always be room for debate and disagreement in this class.· I have two jobs, which doesn't leave much room for socializing.· Despite our recent success, there is still scope for improvement.room/scope to do something: · We've left the course deliberately vague, so there's room to concentrate on your particular areas of interest.· Better paid labour means greater scope to increase the company's profits.
the chance of being successful at something in the future, especially your job: · He had no job, no family, no home, no prospects.· Employers are now offering more jobs with quality training and excellent career prospects.prospects for: · The prospects for an alliance between the two nations do not look good.
the chance to do something: possibility for: · The possibilities for improvement are endless.· We need to investigate all possibilities for helping these children.
to give someone an opportunity to do something, for example the opportunity to do a particular job: · My experience in the Peace Corps really opened doors for me when I started looking for a job.· Alice Coachman's Olympic success opened the door for generations of African-American track athletes.
to use an opportunity: take the opportunity to do something · I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your help.take the opportunity of doing something · I'm going to take every opportunity of going to see Brian while he's living in Germany.
informal to quickly use an opportunity to do something, especially when you think you might not get another chance: · It may be the last time he offers you the job so I'd grab the chance while you can.grab the chance to do something: · Knowing how difficult it is to find a job I grabbed the chance to be trained as an electrician.
to eagerly and quickly use an opportunity to do something: · The early retirement plan is excellent and I'm surprised that people haven't jumped at the opportunity.jump at the chance/opportunity to do something: · When the resort was put up for sale, the Millers jumped at the chance to buy it.· She thought Lewis would jump at the opportunity to make some extra money on weekends.jump at the chance/opportunity of doing something: · Who wouldn't jump at the chance of spending a month in Australia?
to do something quickly, while you are in a situation in which you are most likely to be successful: · Don't wait until tomorrow before you tell him, strike while the iron is hot!
spoken to take the opportunity to do something now while the conditions are good, because you might not be able to do it later: · Let's make hay while the sun shines and finish this project before I start falling asleep.
someone who always looks for and takes opportunities that might make them more successful -- used to show disapproval: · It is difficult to tell whether he really wants to help May or whether he is just an opportunist.· As the finance company started to fail a few opportunists managed to make more money out of it.
to not use an opportunity: miss a chance/an opportunity of · Denise never misses the chance of a free meal.miss a chance/an opportunity to do something · Don't miss this great opportunity to fly for half price.· Dan never misses an opportunity to remind me that I still owe him money.miss your chance/opportunity · Jerry's already sold the car to someone else. You've missed your chance.
to not use the chance to do something enjoyable or useful, especially when this is not a good thing: · If you don't come to the picnic you'll miss out on all the fun.· I don't want to be the type of father who is so busy he misses out on his daughter's childhood.
informal to waste a chance that you had to do or get something good: · Don't panic and talk too much in the interview or you'll really blow it.· I was afraid I'd blown my chance but she agreed to go out again on Saturday night.blow your chances of doing something: · She started running much too fast at the beginning and blew her chances of winning the race.
informal to be too late to use an opportunity to do something good: · Buy your shares in the company now or you'll miss the boat.· He didn't get his application in early enough so he missed the boat.
to not use a good opportunity when you are able to, especially an opportunity that you will not get again: · We had an opportunity to win the championship last season and we let it slip through our fingers.
an opportunity that you wasted by not using it to become successful, enjoy yourself etc: · If you don't take the job it'll just be another lost opportunity in your life.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY A chance meeting with a journalist changed everything. A chance remark by one of his colleagues got him thinking.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES It afforded her the opportunity to improve her tennis skills. We’ve blown our chances of getting that contract. Bernstein began training the young musician after a chance encounter at a concert (=a meeting that happened by chance). I think we have an even chance of winning. There is every chance that he will recover. I don’t fancy our chances of getting a ticket this late. a fifty-fifty chance of winning They don’t stand a ghost of a chance of winning. These meetings give everyone a chance to express their opinions. They were glad of the chance to finally get some sleep. Our team has a good chance of winning (=is fairly likely to win). I think you should grab your chance to travel while you’re young. I’d go to university if I got half the chance. Many kids would sleep till noon given half a chance. If by any chance you can’t manage dinner tonight, perhaps we can at least have a drink together. He’s not the sort to leave things to chance (=take no action and just wait to see what happens). Exercise lessens the risk of heart disease. If you hesitate, you may lose the opportunity to compete altogether. The career center will help you maximize your opportunities. It was a chance in a million that we’d find a fossil. The course offers the opportunity to specialize in the final year. I don’t think you should pass up the opportunity to go to university. A criminal record will prejudice your chances of getting a job. It happened purely by chance. He relishes the chance to play Hamlet. There’s a remote chance that you can catch him before he leaves. I just want to give these kids a second chance. There’s only a slim chance that anyone survived the crash.
A chance meeting with a journalist changed everything. A chance remark by one of his colleagues got him thinking. It afforded her the opportunity to improve her tennis skills. We’ve blown our chances of getting that contract.· Everybody deserves a second chance.
(=happening by chance)· Some of the tombs were the result of chance discoveries.
Bernstein began training the young musician after a chance encounter at a concert (=a meeting that happened by chance).· The river offered our only hope of escape.
I think we have an even chance of winning. There is every chance that he will recover.· The debate will give MPs an opportunity to express their views in detail.
(=it is quite likely that something will happen) There’s a fair chance we’ll be coming over to England this summer.
There’s a fair chance we’ll be coming over to England this summer. I don’t fancy our chances of getting a ticket this late. a fifty-fifty chance of winning They don’t stand a ghost of a chance of winning. These meetings give everyone a chance to express their opinions. They were glad of the chance to finally get some sleep. Our team has a good chance of winning (=is fairly likely to win). I think you should grab your chance to travel while you’re young. I’d go to university if I got half the chance. Many kids would sleep till noon given half a chance. If by any chance you can’t manage dinner tonight, perhaps we can at least have a drink together. He’s not the sort to leave things to chance (=take no action and just wait to see what happens). Exercise lessens the risk of heart disease. If you hesitate, you may lose the opportunity to compete altogether. The career center will help you maximize your opportunities. It was a chance in a million that we’d find a fossil. The course offers the opportunity to specialize in the final year. I don’t think you should pass up the opportunity to go to university. A criminal record will prejudice your chances of getting a job.· He had discovered the truth by pure chance.
It happened purely by chance.· We felt we had a realistic chance of beating England.
He relishes the chance to play Hamlet. (=one that is not planned or intended)· I found out about their relationship from a chance remark Teddy made at dinner.
There’s a remote chance that you can catch him before he leaves. I just want to give these kids a second chance. There’s only a slim chance that anyone survived the crash.· They have a good chance of success.
· He knew that his chances of survival were small.
(=they have no chance of success) Mike’s chances of winning are virtually zero. From 1971 to 1976 West Vancouver experienced zero population growth.
Mike’s chances of winning are virtually zero. From 1971 to 1976 West Vancouver experienced zero population growth.PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► not stand/have a cat in hell’s chance (of doing something)► not have a dog’s chance► an eye for/on/to the main chance► a mathematical chance (of something)► seize a chance/an opportunity/the initiative► not have a snowball’s chance in hell
not planned or expected SYN accidentalchance meeting/encounter/event etc- There is a suggestion that offspring do not have an even chance of inheriting a trait from either parent.
- There was always better than an even chance of something like this happening.
- I thought about letting it ring, but there was a faint hope that it might be Sally.
- If it can startle the predator in some way, there is a faint chance that the enemy may panic and flee.
- That uncertainty urges us to look beyond the present, with a faint hope to control our future.
- There remained a faint possibility that Newley would try to identify the person who collected the money.
- You want tickets for the big game? Fat chance.
- There is fat chance of that for as long as the Government allows the banks to carry on with their grasping one-way policy.
- All children must have a fighting chance at a good education.
- And that has encouraged the Geordies to believe they still have a fighting chance of keeping him.
- Central defender Tony Mowbray believes his former team have a fighting chance at Old Trafford.
- Poker is a game of chance.
- Predicting the outcome is a game of chance.
- Is there a ghost of a chance that any of these stories are true?
- As McKinsey laments, given half a chance they revert to old habits.
- Given half a chance, his body was healing, repairing itself.
- If the people are given half a chance there is hope for a return to it's colourful and vibrant past.
- It's the trees they go for, given half a chance.
- It possesses a large number of small but very sharp teeth and can inflict a painful bite if given half a chance.
- That's nothing on how good they could be, given half a chance.
- You had to grow up and get into the lycée to have half a chance with him.
- It would be naive to believe that there aren't lots of people who would leap at the opportunity.
- Some may leap at the chance.
- Jim assured him that hearing me sing was the experience of a lifetime, but Dad wasn't having that.
- There is also the chance of a lifetime for the talented teams who win through to the final.
- This was the chance of a lifetime.
- We are offering the experience of a lifetime, and it seems to appeal to people from all over the world.
- Akinbiyi was next up to try his luck after 25 minutes, following a great break from the left touchline.
- And if Mr. Birt does find himself out of a job, he could always try his luck as a timeshare salesman.
- But the next time Berger tried his luck, it produced a spectacular dividend.
- He squatted down with a stick to try his luck.
- Moments later Pauleta tried his luck with a fizzing 30-yarder, but Shay Given got a hand to it.
- Well, I strongly recommend that you try your luck on any wide verges close to towns.
- Why not try your luck and help others at the same time?
- Without a pub to be seen for miles we decided to try our luck in the bar of the hilton.
- It would be unforgivable to miss this opportunity to travel.
- He didn't miss an opportunity.
- He must not miss a chance when it comes through being preoccupied with something else.
- History was being catalogued here, the missed opportunities, blunders, and outright mistakes.
- However, though I had missed a chance, the advantages were now all on my side and distinctly in my favour.
- It was a missed opportunity that they might never regain.
- Now, as many times before, the City is missing a chance to put the system right.
- The missed opportunities and hidden costs for Zappo were enormous.
- The snakes are sometimes hard to find, so the Webers never miss a chance to make a kill.
- I called on the off-chance that Patty might be home.
- I just came on the off-chance.
- I rang Otto on the off-chance.
- I walked over to the wardrobe and opened the door just on the off-chance.
- It was a long way to drive on the off-chance that something would come of it.
- The card is too expensive on the off-chance I could get in an away game during the season.
- There was no time to contact him, so I came on the off-chance.
- Here are two more from the downs with an outside chance and one from Wendover in Buckinghamshire.
- Norman pitched his into the heart of the green and had an outside chance for birdie.
- Some shrewd Iowa pols also see an outside chance for former Gov.
- There is also an outside chance Cadbury may itself be a bid target.
- But few analysts rate the chances of Washington's prefered successors very highly.
- But officials will not rate the survival chances above 50 percent until a month after birth.
- How high do you rate my chances?
- I didn't really rate his chances of living that long.
- The doctors rated his chances as virtually nil.
- Boone will have to prove in his second chance that he can delegate and teach.
- Creative football that created the big chance - a second chance at Wembley.
- Fornek got a second chance at close range as Gingrich was leaving the luncheon.
- He'd been offered a second chance of salvation.
- In what other sports is a participant allowed a second chance because of failure?
- It was his addled understanding of the rules of warfare that the marksman should be given a second chance.
- Or that rarity, a second chance?
- You don't get a second chance - fatal wounds stay fatal.
- But whether the parent with the yellow flowers supplies the egg or the pollen makes not the slightest difference.
- I tried closing my eyes; it made not the slightest difference.
- There was now not the slightest doubt that Hsu was decaying and losing her structural integrity.
- After all, you are meant to give the quarry a sporting chance.
- You'll stand a better chance of getting a job with a degree.
- C., woman fumed outside the museum where a crowd stood hoping to get a ticket to hear Wiesel.
- Dougal didn't struggle: even if he could have got out of the duvet, he wouldn't have stood a chance.
- In the face of Queeensrÿche they didn't stand a chance.
- No Labour rethink that ignores this will stand a chance of success in the future.
- Schools from across the country craved his talents, but only two stood a chance.
- The rest must keep pace if they are to stand a chance-advertising works.
- The women stand a chance in the foil competition with Charlene DiMiceli.
- This was the crunch match they really had to win to stand a chance of staying up.
A chance meeting with a journalist changed everything. A chance remark by one of his colleagues got him thinking.