dog’s chance: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘dog's chance’ mean?
The idiom "dog's chance" refers to having very little or no possibility of success or survival in a given situation.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "dumb luck" refers to a situation where someone achieves success or good fortune purely by chance or luck, without any skill or effort on their part.
The idiom "down on one's luck" means having a period of misfortune or bad luck.
The idiom "do-or-die" means that a situation requires full commitment and determination. It suggests that failure is not an option and that one must give their utmost effort to succeed.
The idiom "doomed if you do, doomed if you don't" refers to a lose-lose situation, where any choice or action will lead to negative consequences or a bad outcome.
The idiom "don't hold your breath" means to not expect something to happen or to not have high hopes for a particular outcome.
The idiom "dog that caught the car" refers to someone who has achieved a goal but is uncertain about what to do next or ill-prepared to handle the situation. It emphasizes the feeling of being overwhelmed or unprepared for the consequences of one's actions.
The idiom "dog's life" refers to a difficult and unpleasant existence, often characterized by hardship, struggle, or mistreatment.
The idiom "dog's breakfast" means a muddled or chaotic situation, typically used to describe something poorly done or disorganized.
Unlikely Odds
The idiom "dog's chance" is a common expression in English. It refers to a slim or nonexistent chance of success or winning in a given situation.
One possible explanation for the origin of this idiom is its association with the belief that dogs have limited or no chances of achieving certain goals. Dogs were historically seen as inferior animals to humans, lacking the intelligence or abilities required for success. This perception may have contributed to the development of the idiom.
Another theory suggests that the idiom may have evolved from the phrase "a snowball's chance in hell." This phrase emphasizes the unlikelihood of a positive outcome. The addition of "in hell" further emphasizes the extreme unlikelihood, as hell is traditionally depicted as a place of eternal suffering and damnation.
In modern usage, the idiom "dog's chance" is employed in various contexts, both literal and figurative. It can be seen in discussions of sporting events, where underdogs are seen as having a slim chance of winning against more favored opponents. It is also commonly used in everyday conversations to convey skepticism or doubt regarding the potential for success.
The idiom "dog's chance" is related to the phrase "Chinaman's chance." This expression is used to describe an extremely slim or non-existent chance of success. It may have originated from the prejudice faced by Chinese immigrants in the past, who were often discriminated against and faced significant challenges in various aspects of their lives.
Additionally, the idiom "dog's chance" is connected to the phrase "chances are." This expression is used to indicate the probability or likelihood of something happening. It is often employed when discussing statistical or predictable outcomes, emphasizing the high chances or probability of a particular event occurring.
Furthermore, the idiom "dog's chance" can be associated with the phrase "Buckley's chance." This expression is used to describe a very slim or unlikely chance of success. It originated from the last name Buckley, which became synonymous with little to no chance of achieving a desired outcome.
While the exact origins and evolution of the idiom "dog's chance" remain somewhat ambiguous, its enduring popularity and usage highlight its significance as a means of conveying the unlikelihood or difficulty of achieving certain goals or outcomes.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom *dog's chance* can be used in a sentence:
- He doesn't stand a dog's chance of winning the competition.
- With the current state of the economy, we have a dog's chance of finding a job.
- The team has a dog's chance of winning the championship without their star player.
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