fighting chance: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal to neutral. Common in journalism, conversation, and motivational contexts. Not typically used in highly formal academic or legal writing.
Quick answer
What does “fighting chance” mean?
A reasonable chance of success if a great effort is made.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A reasonable chance of success if a great effort is made.
An opportunity to succeed, often despite significant obstacles, requiring determination and struggle. The implication is that success is not guaranteed but is possible through effort, unlike a lost cause.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or form. Usage is equally common and idiomatic in both varieties.
Connotations
Slight connotation of underdog or gritty determination in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally frequent and natural in both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “fighting chance” in a Sentence
have a fighting chance of [GERUND/NOUN PHRASE]give [SOMEONE] a fighting chance to [INFINITIVE]stand a fighting chance against [NOUN PHRASE]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fighting chance” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The team are fighting for a chance to stay in the league.
American English
- The team is fighting for a chance to stay in the league.
adverb
British English
- The protestors were fighting mad about the new policy.
American English
- He came out of the meeting fighting mad.
adjective
British English
- He showed a fighting spirit until the very end.
American English
- She has a fighting spirit that is hard to beat.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used when discussing a company's survival or a product's launch in a competitive market: 'The new marketing strategy gives us a fighting chance against the industry giants.'
Academic
Rare in formal academic prose but can appear in less formal contexts like student advising: 'With extra tutoring, she has a fighting chance of passing the final exam.'
Everyday
Common in personal contexts: 'If we leave now, we have a fighting chance of catching the last train.'
Technical
Not used in technical/scientific contexts. Possible in sports commentary or military analysis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “fighting chance”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “fighting chance”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fighting chance”
- Using 'fighting chance' to mean a 'good chance' (it implies difficulty).
- Omitting the article: 'He has fighting chance' (must be 'a fighting chance').
- Incorrect prepositions: 'a fighting chance for survival' (more commonly 'of survival').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It means you have a possibility of success if you try very hard, but it is not a prediction of victory. The odds may still be against you.
No, that is not a standard English collocation. The fixed phrase is 'a fighting chance'.
It is used in challenging or difficult situations, but it carries a note of cautious optimism. It is more positive than 'no chance' but less positive than 'a good chance'.
'A chance' is neutral. 'A fighting chance' specifically implies that the situation is difficult and will require a struggle or great effort to succeed.
A reasonable chance of success if a great effort is made.
Fighting chance is usually informal to neutral. common in journalism, conversation, and motivational contexts. not typically used in highly formal academic or legal writing. in register.
Fighting chance: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfaɪtɪŋ ˌtʃɑːns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfaɪt̬ɪŋ ˌtʃæns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “against all odds”
- “an uphill battle”
- “a snowball's chance in hell (much stronger)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a boxer who is losing a match but is still on his feet and trying hard. He doesn't have a 'winning chance' yet, but he has a 'fighting chance' because he's still fighting.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUCCESS IS VICTORY IN A STRUGGLE / LIFE IS A BATTLE. The phrase maps the domain of physical combat onto the domain of attempting to achieve a goal against difficulty.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'fighting chance' correctly?