Language Research

chance · noun

/tʃæns/Full view

chance (POSSIBILITY)

B1 C or U the possibility that something will happen

Dictionary examples:

There's a chance (that) he'll still be there.

Does she have any chance of winning?

You'd have a better chance of passing your exams if you worked a bit harder.

There's a good chance (that) I'll have this essay finished by tomorrow.

Learner example:

Is [there] any chance [of] borrow[ing] your bicycle? (Preliminary English Test; B1; Polish)

chance (OPPORTUNITY)

B1 C the opportunity to do something

Dictionary examples:

I didn't get/have a chance to speak to her.

If you give me a chance to speak, I'll explain.

This trip is the chance of a lifetime.

He left and I missed my chance to say goodbye to him.

Learner example:

If you get a chance to learn to dance, you must do this because it [is] fun. (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)

chance (LUCK)

B1 U when something happens because of luck, or without being planned

Dictionary example:

I ran into her by chance in the supermarket.

Learner example:

By chance it was my camera. (Preliminary English Test; B1; French)

chance (RISK)

B2 C a risk

Dictionary examples:

I'm delivering my work by hand. I'm not taking any chances.

There's a chance of injury in almost any sport.

Learner example:

The chances of [having] an accident [on a] bicycle are bigger than [in a] car. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)

(the) chances are

C2 it is likely

Dictionary examples:

Chances are that he'll refuse.

If we plan a picnic, the chances are that it'll rain.

Learner example:

This was the case in London this summer, and with England's failing electricity system, chances are that this winter we will experience a similar situation. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Dutch)

stand a chance

C2 to have a chance of success or of achieving something

Dictionary example:

He doesn’t stand much of a chance in the election.

Learner example:

Only those who are open-minded and really intelligent stand a chance of survival as the disaster is of world-wide extent and there can be no aid for the victims. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

by any chance

C2 used to ask in a polite way whether something is possible or true

Dictionary example:

You're not Spanish by any chance, are you?

Learner example:

I pick up the phone "Hello, Nick have you by any chance got, or seen, my diary? (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Danish)

No chance!/ Not a chance!

C2 used to emphasize that there is no possibility of something happening

Dictionary example:

"Do you think she'd go out with me?" "No chance!"

a fair chance

C2 an equal and honest opportunity

Dictionary example:

All he asks is a fair chance to prove his innocence.

Learner example:

Then again, I think you have to give every job a fair chance. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swedish)

blow it/your chance(s)

C2 If you blow it or blow your chance, you lose an opportunity to do something by doing or saying the wrong thing.

Dictionary examples:

I blew it when I criticized the way she ran the office.

Tom blew his chances of getting the job by arriving late for the interview.

Learner example:

I'm giving you one last chance. If you blow it, you'll be sent to an Institution which treats people like you. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)