blow one’s chance: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘blow one's chance’ mean?
The idiom "blow one's chance" means to ruin or waste an opportunity or possibility by making a mistake or failing to take advantage of it.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "jump at the chance" means to eagerly accept or take advantage of an opportunity without hesitation.
The idiom "in with a chance" means having a realistic opportunity or possibility of achieving success in a particular situation.
The idiom "have had one's chips" means to be defeated or to have failed, often resulting in a negative outcome or consequence. It is commonly used to express the idea of someone being at the end of their chances or opportunities.
The idiom *fool away* means to waste or squander something, usually time or an opportunity, by engaging in foolish or unproductive activities.
The idiom "fighting chance" means a reasonable opportunity or possibility to succeed, despite facing difficult or unfavorable circumstances.
The idiom "fancy one's chances" means to believe or have confidence in one's likelihood of success in a particular situation or endeavor.
The idiom "down the drain" means that something has been wasted or lost, often due to a mistake or failure.
The idiom "down on one's luck" means having a period of misfortune or bad luck.
The idiom "dog's chance" refers to having very little or no possibility of success or survival in a given situation.
Tragicomedy Unleashed
The idiom "blow-up-in-ones-face-idiom-meaning-and-origin/">blow up in one's face" is closely related to the expression "blow one's chance." When something "blows up in one's face," it means that a plan or endeavor has unexpectedly failed or gone wrong, resulting in negative consequences. This can be seen as a more dramatic version of blowing one's chance, as it implies a sudden and dramatic failure that is difficult to recover from.
Another related idiom is "fancy one's chances." When someone fancies their chances, it means that they believe they have a good opportunity for success or achieving a desired outcome. This can be contrasted with blowing one's chance, as it represents a sense of confidence and optimism in the possibility of success.
The word "blow" in the idioms "blow up in one's face" and "blow one's chance" carries a similar metaphorical meaning of causing something to fail or be ruined. It suggests a destructive or negative action that leads to undesirable outcomes. The word "chance" in both idioms refers to an opportunity or possibility, emphasizing the potential for success or failure.
Additionally, the idiom "dog's chance" can also be related to blowing one's chance. When someone has a "dog's chance," it means that their likelihood of success or achieving a desired outcome is very low or unlikely. This can be seen as the opposite of blowing one's chance, as it implies a lack of opportunity or possibility for success from the start.
The idioms "blow one's chance," "blow up in one's face," "fancy one's chances," and "dog's chance" are all related expressions that revolve around the concept of opportunities and their outcomes. While blowing one's chance signifies the act of ruining or wasting an opportunity, blowing up in one's face represents a more dramatic failure, fancying one's chances reflects confidence in the possibility of success, and having a dog's chance suggests a lack of opportunity or possibility for success.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "blow one's chance" can be used in a sentence:
- He blew his chance to win the race by tripping over his own feet.
- She blew her chance to get the promotion by arriving late to the job interview.
- They blew their chance to secure a business deal by not presenting a convincing proposal.
More "Opportunity" idioms
