chance
possibility of something happening
How likely it is that something will happen.
a chance of [something happening]
- There’s a good chance it will rain tomorrow.
- She has little chance of getting the job.
- Is there any chance we can meet earlier?
- They have an equal chance of winning the game.
- There's no chance he will agree to that plan.
- There is a chance it will rain.
- He has a good chance to win.
- Is there a chance we can talk?
- She has no chance to get that job.
- We have the same chance to win.
opportunity to do something
A time when you can do something you want or need to do.
a chance to [do something]
- I finally got the chance to visit Paris.
- Please give me a chance to explain.
- She missed her chance by arriving late.
- This is your big chance to impress the boss.
- I have a chance to go to London.
- He gave me a chance to speak.
- She missed her chance to win.
- This is my chance to try new food.
unplanned or accidental event
Something that happens without planning or control.
- We met purely by chance in the supermarket.
- It was no mere chance that they were both there.
- By sheer chance, she found her lost keys.
- I met him by chance in the park.
- It was pure chance that we saw each other.
- She found the book by chance.
do something accidentally or unexpectedly
To do or find something without planning it.
to chance upon [something/someone]
- I chanced upon an old friend while traveling.
- She chanced across a rare book in the shop.
- They chanced upon a beautiful hidden beach.
- I chanced upon my teacher in the city.
- He chanced across an old photo.
- We chanced upon a small cafe.
- Base: chance
- Plural: chance, chances
- Base: chance
- 3rd Person Singular: chances
- Present Participle: chancing
- Past: chanced
- Past Participle: chanced
by chance
1happening without planning
Something that happens without being planned or expected.
- I met her purely by chance at the café.
- He found the letter by chance while cleaning his desk.
fat chance
1sarcastic way to say no possibility
'Fat chance' means there is almost no possibility of something happening, and is often said sarcastically.
- "Will he lend you money?" "Fat chance."
- Fat chance we’ll get tickets now that it’s sold out.
on the off-chance
1in case something unlikely happens
Doing something because there is a small possibility it will help or succeed.
- I called him on the off-chance he was still at home.
- She packed her swimsuit on the off-chance they would go swimming.
stand a chance
1have a possibility of success
To have some possibility of winning or succeeding.
- We don’t stand a chance against such a strong team.
- She stands a good chance of passing the exam.
take a chance
1do something risky for possible gain
To try something that might fail but could bring success if it works.
- You should take a chance and apply for the job.
- They took a chance on investing in the new company.