main chance
/ˈmeɪn ˌtʃɑːns/ /ˈmeɪn ˌtʃans/noun
Something which is of principal importance in life; a livelihood; (now) especially the opportunity of enriching or otherwise benefiting oneself. Often in to have an eye to (also for) the main chance: to have consideration for one's own interests; also to be careful of the main chance.
Origin
Late 16th century (in an earlier sense). From main + chance, perhaps sometimes influenced by main.
- there's honour among thieves
- there's many a good tune played on an old fiddle
- there's many a slip 'twixt cup and lip
- there's more than one way to skin a cat
- there's more to someone (or something) than meets the eye
- there's no accounting for tastes (or taste)
- there's no fool like an old fool
- there's no law against it
- there's none so blind as those who will not see
- there's no (or little or not much) love lost between
- there's no such thing as a free lunch
- there's one (or a sucker) born every minute
- there's (or that's) —— for you
- there's safety in numbers
- the rest is history
- the Resurrection
- therethrough
- thereto
- theretofore
- thereunder
- thereunto
- thereupon
- the Revelation of St John the Divine
- the Revolution
- there wasn't a dry eye (in the house)