26984 words

chances

14 definitions ā€¢ 42 examples
1
an occasion that allows something to be done:

Examples:

get a chance I didn't get a chance to speak to her.
have a chance If you have a chance, try the steak.
give someone a chance He's a very smart kid and just needs someone to give him a chance.
[ + to infinitive ] If you give me a chance to speak, I'll explain.
He wanted to change, but he was never given the chance.
second chance Society has to give prisoners a second chance when they come out of jail.
miss your chance He left and I missed my chance to say goodbye to him.
given half a chance I'd go now given half a chance (= if I had the slightest opportunity).
2
the level of possibility that something will happen:

Examples:

You'd have a better chance/more chance of passing your exams if you worked a bit harder.
a good chance There's a good chance (that) I'll have this essay finished by tomorrow.
slim chance There's a slim chance (that) I might have to go to Manchester next week.
an outside chance If we hurry, there's still an outside (= very small) chance of catching the plane.
not a chance "Is there any chance of speaking to him?" "Not a chance, I'm afraid."
stand a chance I don't think I stand a chance of winning.
in with a chance UK John thinks they're in with a chance (= they have a possibility of doing or getting what they want).
chances of Her resignation has improved my chances of promotion.
What are her chances of survival?
[ + that ] What are the chances that they'll win?
3
a possibility that something negative will happen:

Examples:

take a chance I'm delivering my work by hand - I'm not taking any chances.
chance of There's a chance of injury in almost any sport.
4
the force that causes things to happen without any known cause or reason for doing so:

Examples:

Roulette is a game of chance.
by chance I got this job completely by chance.
[ + (that) ] It was pure chance (that) we met.
leave nothing to chance We must double-check everything and leave nothing to chance.
5
used to ask a question or request in a polite way:

Examples:

Are you Hungarian, by any chance?
6
to risk something:

Examples:

You'd be a fool to chance your life savings on a single investment.
7
to happen or do something by chance:

Examples:

[ + to infinitive ] They chanced to be in the restaurant when I arrived.
chance on I chanced on (= found unexpectedly) some old love letters in a drawer.
chance upon Ten years after leaving school, we chanced upon (= unexpectedly met) each other in Regent Street.
8
happening in a way that is not planned or does not have any known cause or reason:

Examples:

Her chance discovery of the letters led to their publication.
chance meeting Their relationship began with a chance meeting on a ski lift in Vail, Colorado.
chance encounter A chance encounter with another artist would change her life.
9
an occasion that allows something to be done; an opportunity:

Examples:

If you get a chance, come over and see me.
You had many chances to back out of the deal, and you didnā€™t do it.
Sheā€™d been a substitute on the team, and she wanted a chance to play every day.
10
a level of possibility that something will happen; likelihood:

Examples:

Iā€™ve applied to seven different universities, and thereā€™s a good chance Iā€™ll get into two of them.
11
a possibility that something bad will happen; a risk:

Examples:

Thereā€™s a chance of injury in almost any sport.
You donā€™t get anywhere in life without taking chances.
12
the happening of something in a way that no one could have known, so that it seems to have no cause:

Examples:

Four years ago we met by chance in Paris.
Do you by any chance know when the last bus leaves tonight?
13
to do something although it involves risk:

Examples:

Itā€™s a very popular restaurant, and we may not get a table, but letā€™s chance it.
14
to happen or find something in a way that is not planned or expected:

Examples:

I chanced upon some old love letters in a drawer.

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