outside chance

English

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

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Noun

outside chance (plural outside chances)

1. (idiomatic) A small likelihood; a remote possibility.
   • 1886, Andrew Lang, chapter 7, in The Mark Of Cain:

     Then, perhaps, there may be a chance of detecting him; but it's an outside chance.

   • 1948 October 25, "The Nation: The Real Fight," Time (retrieved 29 Jan 2019):

     Harry Truman might get a good share of the popular vote, but few people, outside of Harry Truman, gave him even an outside chance of getting the electoral votes necessary for election.

   • 2008 February 23, Bernard Holland, "Music Review: A Visit That Crosses Two Centuries and an Ocean," New York Times (retrieved 29 Jan 2019):

     Given talent and the right connections, opera composers have at least an outside chance of a premiere performance by a reputable opera company.