# hope against hope

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/hope-against-hope
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To continue to hope, even when what is hoped for seems unlikely or impossible.

## Examples

- I hope against hope that my lost cat returns home.
- Even though the doctors said the treatment might not work, the family continued to hope against hope for a miracle.
- Despite the overwhelming evidence that the business would fail, the founder chose to hope against hope, pouring his remaining savings into one final, desperate attempt to save the company.

## Origin

Likely a paraphrase of the first few words of Romans 4:18.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.