English Reference
Idiom idiom

chances are


It is likely that, it is probable that

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

“Chances are, he will arrive late again.”

CONTEXTUAL

“If you leave for the airport this late, chances are you will miss your flight.”

COMPLEX

“Given the current economic climate, chances are that the central bank will raise interest rates to curb inflation before the end of the quarter.”


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    blow one's chance

    To ruin, or fail to capitalise on an opportunity.

  2. 02

    Buckley's chance

    A very small chance; no chance at all.

  3. 03

    chance upon

    To find (someone or something) by chance.

  4. 04

    Chinaman's chance

    No chance; zero possibility.

  5. 05

    dog's chance

    Little or no likelihood.

  6. 06

    fancy one's chances

    To believe that one has a good chance of success.

  7. 07

    fat chance

    Little or no chance, a low or nonexistent likelihood of occurrence or success; a faint chance.

  8. 08

    fighting chance

    A chance that is dependent on success in a struggle, with the implication that such success is not unattainable.

Last updated August 10, 2026