outside chance

English

Noun

outside chance (plural outside chances)

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