fighting chance

American  

noun

1. a possibility of success following a struggle.

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fighting chance British  

noun

1. a slight chance of success dependent on a struggle

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fighting chance Idioms  

1. A possibility of winning, but only with a struggle. For example, It's going to be hard to beat that record, but I think he has a fighting chance. [Late 1800s]

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Etymology

Origin of fighting chance

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

That’s what the text supports, it’s what common sense supports, and it’s what gives regulated parties a fighting chance of knowing when they’re subject to federal mine safety law.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

Whether Russell can achieve such karma against the mighty France is a moot point, but if he does then Scotland must have a fighting chance.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

"We have a fighting chance to reduce plastics because it's very much a contemporary issue."

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

The hope is the snake’s new, higher profile in California can give it a fighting chance at avoiding extinction.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 10, 2025

I hadn’t doused the fires, merely slowed them down enough to give the townsfolk and their buckets a fighting chance.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss