chance

Everyday

1. A chance is a time when you can do something; an opportunity. tree →
2. Chance is how likely something is to happen; the possibility. tree →
3. Chance is luck: things happening without anyone planning them. tree →
4. To chance it (informal) is to try something risky and hope it works. tree →

In the lessons

In maths, chance and probability describe how likely an event is, on a scale from impossible (0) through unlikely, even chance (1/2, «fifty-fifty») and likely to certain (1); tossing a coin has an even chance of heads; rolling a 6 on a die has a 1 in 6 chance. In safety, «don't take chances» means don't take risks. In everyday life, «give someone a second chance» is forgiving them. Phrases: «by chance», «take a chance», «a fair chance», «no chance», «even chance», «chances are», «second chance», «have a chance to».

Examples

• I didn't get a chance to say goodbye. tree →
• There's a good chance of rain tomorrow. tree →
• We met by chance at the shops. tree →
• What's the chance of rolling a six? It's 1 in 6. tree →
• Tossing a coin gives an even chance of heads or tails. tree →
• Give him a second chance; he said sorry. tree →
• Don't take chances when crossing the road. tree →
• No chance! I'm not jumping in that cold lake. tree →
• And at length chance helped him. tree →

Note

Countable for opportunities («two chances»); uncountable for luck («by chance»). In maths, «chance of 1 in 4» = 1/4 = 25%. «Even chance» = 1/2. «Chances are» means «it is likely that». Do not confuse with «change».

In Jewish tradition

In maths, chance and probability describe how likely an event is, on a scale from impossible (0) through unlikely, even chance (1/2, «fifty-fifty») and likely to certain (1); tossing a coin has an even chance of heads; rolling a 6 on a die has a 1 in 6 chance. In safety, «don't take chances» means don't take risks. In everyday life, «give someone a second chance» is forgiving them. Phrases: «by chance», «take a chance», «a fair chance», «no chance», «even chance», «chances are», «second chance», «have a chance to».

Examples

• And Absalom chanced to meet the servants of David. (Prophets 2SA.18.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the young man that told him said: 'As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and the horsemen pressed hard upon him. (Prophets 2SA.1.6, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable for opportunities («two chances»); uncountable for luck («by chance»). In maths, «chance of 1 in 4» = 1/4 = 25%. «Even chance» = 1/2. «Chances are» means «it is likely that». Do not confuse with «change».