ENGLISH
REFERENCE

not a chance

idiom
Meaning

Absolutely not; no way.


Examples
SIMPLE

I asked him to jump off the roof, but he said not a chance.

CONTEXTUAL

When my boss asked if I could work through the weekend, I told him not a chance.

COMPLEX

Despite the persistent pressure from his colleagues to join the risky venture, he remained firm in his refusal, stating there was not a chance he would participate.

Anchors to
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 April 17, 2026