stand a chance

Meaning

This expression means to have a prospect of success or a hope of achieving something. It is most frequently used in negative contexts to indicate that someone or something has absolutely no hope of winning, surviving, or succeeding.

Examples

• Without our star player, we don't stand a chance of winning the tournament.

  Without our star player, we don't stand a chance of winning the tournament.

• Do you think she stands a chance of getting the job, or is the competition too fierce?

  Do you think she stands a chance of getting the job, or is the competition too fierce?

• With his qualifications, he stands a very good chance of being promoted.

  With his qualifications, he stands a very good chance of being promoted.

• Our local bookstore didn't stand a chance once the massive online retailer opened.

  Our local bookstore didn't stand a chance once the massive online retailer opened.

• If you don't study at all, you don't stand a chance of passing this exam.

  If you don't study at all, you don't stand a chance of passing this exam.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He doesn't stand the chance to win.

  ✓ He doesn't stand a chance of winning.

  Use the indefinite article 'a' and follow the phrase with 'of' plus a gerund (verb-ing), rather than an infinitive verb.

• ✗ Do you stand any chances?

  ✓ Do you stand a chance?

  In this idiom, 'chance' is almost always singular.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Honestly, against a professional team, we don't ___.

  💡 have a possibility of succeeding

  Show answer

  stand a chance

• She has prepared so well that she ___ of winning the scholarship.

  💡 has a very strong likelihood

  Show answer

  stands a good chance