Fat chance

Meaning

The idiom "fat chance" means that there is little or no possibility that something will happen, especially if it involves luck or good fortune. It is used to express disbelief or skepticism about a situation's outcome. The figurative meaning of this phrase suggests that the likelihood of success is extremely low.

Usage

• "I have a fat chance of winning the lottery." - In this sentence, the speaker implies that winning the lottery is unlikely to happen.
• "There's no fat chance he will be on time for the meeting." - This sentence suggests that the person arriving at the meeting may not come on time.
• "I'm pretty sure I won't pass this exam." - Here, the speaker expresses doubt about their chances of passing an exam.
• "Don't hold your breath waiting for a response from him." - In this context, the idiom implies that there is no guarantee that the person will respond at all.
• "I have a fat chance of finding a parking spot in this city." - The speaker suggests that it is challenging to find an empty parking spot in a busy city. The usage of this idiom can vary depending on the context, but its meaning remains consistent. It is often used to express doubt or skepticism about a situation's outcome.

Roots and History

The origin of the phrase "fat chance" is unclear, but it is believed to have emerged in the United States in the 19th century. Some sources suggest that it may have been influenced by the old English phrase "feast or famine," which means that there are either plenty of food or none at all. Over time, the meaning of this idiom has evolved slightly. In contemporary language, it is used to express disbelief about a situation's outcome, rather than describing a lack of food or resources. However, the underlying idea of low probability remains consistent.

Synonyms in English

• "There's no chance in hell" - This idiom has a similar meaning to "fat chance," suggesting that there is little or no possibility of something happening.
• "It won't happen" - This phrase conveys a similar message, implying that an event will not occur.
• "No way" - This idiom expresses strong disbelief in the likelihood of something happening.
• "Not at all" - This expression suggests that there is little or no chance of a particular outcome occurring.
• "Never in a million years" - This phrase is used to convey extreme doubt that something will happen.

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "Peu à peu" - This idiom translates to "little by little" and suggests that something may happen gradually, but not necessarily with certainty or immediacy.
• Spanish: "El cielo es azul" - This expression means "the sky is blue," and while the color of the sky is unlikely to change, it serves as a reminder that nothing is guaranteed and there are always surprises in life.
• Italian: "Non siamo cerchiati" - This idiom translates to "we are not sought after" and suggests that something may not happen or may be difficult to achieve.
• German: "Nichts ist sicher" - This expression means "nothing is certain" and expresses the idea that there is no guarantee of a particular outcome.
• Chinese: "不可预见的事情总是最难处理的" - This idiom translates to "unpredictable events are always the most challenging to handle." It emphasizes the importance of being prepared for unexpected outcomes in life and work.

Similar Idioms

• against the grain

• of course

• willy-nilly