off chance
A possibility that is not likely or probable.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I brought an umbrella on the off chance that it rains.”
“She checked the lost and found on the off chance that someone had turned in her missing keys.”
“He kept his old passport in his desk on the off chance that he might suddenly decide to travel abroad for work.”
From *off* + *chance*, a compound first recorded in the mid-19th century to denote a slight or remote possibility.
- 01
blow one's chance
To ruin, or fail to capitalise on an opportunity.
- 02
Buckley's chance
A very small chance; no chance at all.
- 03
chance upon
To find (someone or something) by chance.
- 04
chances are
It is likely that, it is probable that
- 05
Chinaman's chance
No chance; zero possibility.
- 06
dog's chance
Little or no likelihood.
- 07
fancy one's chances
To believe that one has a good chance of success.
- 08
fat chance
Little or no chance, a low or nonexistent likelihood of occurrence or success; a faint chance.
Last updated August 10, 2026