Dictionary Home »
The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms » on the chance that
on the chance that
on the chance that idiom
On the possibility that, as in I came early on the chance that we might have time to chat. This phrase uses chance in the sense of “a possibility or probability for some event,” a usage dating from the late 1700s. It is sometimes put as on the off chance, meaning “on the slight but unlikely possibility,” as in I came late on the off chance that I could avoid Thomas. The addition of off in the sense of “remote” dates from the mid-1800s.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Print
E-mail
Link/Cite
Bookmark
Add to Word List
Share on FacebookComments
Improve this definition.
Browse dictionary definitions near on the chance that
on the chance
on the carpet
on the brief
Suggestion Box
Follow YD on
