Doesn't have a ghost of a chance In english explanation

The meaning, explanation, definition and origin of the idiom/phrase "doesn't have a ghost of a chance", English Idiom Dictionary ( also found in Vietnamese )

author Jimmy Hung calendar 2023-08-30 04:08

Meaning of Doesn't have a ghost of a chance (redirected from not have a/the ghost of a chance )

Synonyms:

When Hell Freezes Over , not have a snowball's chance in hell , have a chance in a million

Not have a/the ghost of a chance phrase informal

The verb "stand" can substitute for the verb "have".

Have very little chance of succeeding in doing something

He hasn't had the ghost of a chance of winning the race.

He knew that he didn't stand a ghost of a chance of being given the school scholarship, but he still tried his best in the exam.

Other phrases about:

Blind Luck

Nothing but fortunate chance

take a flyer (on something)

If you take a flyer (on something), you take a chance, risk, or gamble on it.

one shot in (one's) locker

The last opportunity for one to achieve something

a second bite at the cherry

A second opportunity

a ghost of a chance

Very little chance of succeeding in doing something

Grammar and Usage of Not have a/the ghost of a chance

Verb Forms

  • do not have a/the ghost of a chance
  • does not have a/the ghost of a chance
  • did not have a/the ghost of a chance

The auxiliary verb "do" should be conjugated according to its tense.

Origin of Not have a/the ghost of a chance

This term, which uses "ghost" in the sense of an insubstantial shadow, dates from the nineteenth century. In print, it appeared in "Thomas Hughes’s Tom Brown’s School Days" (1857): “Williams hadn’t the ghost of a chance with Tom at wrestling.” 

The Origin Cited: idioms.thefreedictionary.com .
error

Report Error

Do you see anything wrong?

Share your idioms

If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.

Submit An Idiom

Make a Donation!

Help us update and complete more idioms

Donate

TODAY
under the harrow

1. The phrase is used to talk about the earth that is broken up and flattened by a harrow.

2. If somebody is under the harrow, he or she is forced to experience distress, or torment.

Example:

1. About 1000 hectares of farmland have been under the harrow for 2 hours.

2. Many families are under the harrow because of the economic recession.

Join the Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest updates!

Darkmode