English Reference
Idiom idiom

fighting chance


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

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


SIMPLE

With this new strategy, we have a fighting chance to win.

CONTEXTUAL

The team was behind by ten points, but their late goal gave them a fighting chance to win the game.

COMPLEX

Despite the overwhelming odds against his small business, he believed that hard work and innovation provided a fighting chance for long-term survival.


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

    chances are

    It is likely that, it is probable that

  5. 05

    Chinaman's chance

    No chance; zero possibility.

  6. 06

    dog's chance

    Little or no likelihood.

  7. 07

    fancy one's chances

    To believe that one has a good chance of success.

  8. 08

    fat chance

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

Last updated August 10, 2026