fancy one’s chances: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘fancy one's chances’ mean?
The idiom "fancy one's chances" means to believe or have confidence in one's likelihood of success in a particular situation or endeavor.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "lay odds" is a widely-used expression in the English language. It is often used in informal conversations and has a specific meaning that is easily understood by native speakers.
The idiom "keep one's fingers crossed" means to hope for good luck or success. It is often used when someone is wishing for a positive outcome or outcome of an event.
The idiom "in with a chance" means having a realistic opportunity or possibility of achieving success in a particular situation.
The idiom "in the cards" means something is likely to happen or is destined to happen.
The idiom "in the cards" has several known facts associated with it. The phrase is believed to have originated from the practice of fortune-telling using playing cards. In this context, "cards" refer to the deck of playing cards commonly used in various types of card games and divination practices.
The idiom "in one's dreams" means that something is unlikely or impossible to happen. It is often used to dismiss someone's unrealistic or fanciful ideas.
The idiom "hope against hope" means to continue hoping for something despite there being little or no chance of it happening.
The idiom "have time on one's side" means to have the advantage of time and the ability to wait or be patient in a situation. It implies that by being patient, one has a higher chance of achieving a desired outcome or seeing positive results.
The idiom "give something a go" means to try or attempt something, even if you are unsure of the outcome.
The idiom "give something a go" is a commonly used phrase in the English language. It conveys the idea of attempting or trying something in a casual or experimental manner. The idiom is widely understood by native English speakers in the United States.
'Give it one's best shot' means to try one's hardest or make the greatest effort possible to achieve or succeed in something.
Unleashing Optimism: Gauging Confidence
'keep one's fingers crossed' is a related idiom that is often used in conjunction with 'fancy one's chances'. It is a way of expressing the hope or wish for a positive outcome in a particular situation. The phrase originated from the superstition that crossing one's fingers brings good luck or helps to ward off bad luck. When someone says they are 'keeping their fingers crossed' in relation to 'fancying their chances', it means they are hoping for the best and are optimistic about the outcome.
'fighting chance' is another related idiom that is often used in connection with 'fancy one's chances'. It refers to having a realistic or reasonable chance of success, despite the odds being stacked against you. When someone says they have a 'fighting chance' in a particular situation, it means they believe they have a decent opportunity to succeed, even if it may be difficult or challenging.
'chances are' is yet another related idiom that can be used in conjunction with 'fancy one's chances'. It is a way of expressing the probability or likelihood of a particular outcome or event occurring. When someone says 'chances are' in relation to 'fancying their chances', it means they believe that the likelihood of success is high or favorable based on the information or circumstances at hand.
'get one's hopes up' is a related idiom that can be used in relation to 'fancy one's chances'. It is an expression that warns against getting too optimistic or excited about a particular outcome, as it may lead to disappointment if things don't turn out as expected. When someone says 'don't get your hopes up' in connection with 'fancying your chances', it means they are advising caution and tempering expectations, as there is no guarantee of success.
'chance'd be a fine thing' is a related idiom that is often used in response to someone expressing optimism or belief in their chances. It is a way of expressing doubt or skepticism about the likelihood of a particular outcome occurring. When someone says 'chance'd be a fine thing' in response to 'fancying your chances', they are implying that the likelihood of success is slim or unlikely.
Overall, 'fancy one's chances' is an idiom that is commonly used in American English to convey confidence and belief in one's ability to succeed. It can be used in various contexts and is often paired with other idioms that relate to optimism, probability, and the potential for success. While the phrase expresses a sense of confidence, it is important to recognize that success is not guaranteed and can depend on a range of factors. However, by keeping one's fingers crossed, maintaining a fighting chance, recognizing the probabilities, and managing expectations, one can still approach situations with optimism and belief in their abilities.
Example usage
Examples:
1. Despite being the underdog in the boxing match, he still fancies his chances of winning.
2. She has studied diligently for the exam and fancies her chances of getting an A.
3. The team is in good form and fancies their chances of winning the championship this year.
More "Optimism" idioms
