Hail Mary
Also called Hail Mary pass, Hail Mary play . a long forward pass in football, especially as a last-ditch attempt at the end of a game, where completion is considered unlikely.
Origin of Hail Mary
1Words Nearby Hail Mary
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use Hail Mary in a sentence
As an election tactic, it was a Hail-Mary move: a half-hour address by an aging actor of no political standing or constituency.
With Terri Lynn Land looking like a goner, Republicans are throwing a wild Hail Mary—using 2004 tactics to gain a Senate seat.
The (Sloppy) Swift-Boating of Michigan Democrat Gary Peters | Tim Mak | October 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST“It sounded like they were praying the Hail Mary,” Gozik recalled.
It does, however, get at the Hail Mary aspect of both picks by nominees behind in the polls.
Hillary Supporters Should Want to Complete Ferraro’s Unfinished Business | Jill Lawrence | February 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTTo Paul, this speech was sort of a fear mongering “Hail Mary” speech.
The exhortation was usually followed by a loud saying of a Paternoster and a "Hail Mary" by all present.
Tyrol and its People | Clive HollandAfter the prayer of praise in the "Hail Mary" there follows the prayer of supplication which the Church has added.
The Excellence of the Rosary | M. J. FringsCertain critics of the Rosary cannot understand why the Hail Mary is so frequently repeated.
The Excellence of the Rosary | M. J. FringsThe "Hail Mary" proved a bit difficult for Hannah, and she finally abandoned it.
The Little Mixer | Lillian Nicholson ShearonI have received a light that thou art to be the model for the 'Hail Mary!'
Agnes of Sorrento | Harriet Beecher Stowe
British Dictionary definitions for Hail Mary
Also called: Ave Maria RC Church a prayer to the Virgin Mary, based on the salutations of the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:28) and Elizabeth (Luke 1:42) to her
American football slang a very long high pass into the end zone, made in the final seconds of a half or of a game
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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