Hail Mary

American  

[heyl mer-ee, mair-ee] / ˈheɪl ˈmɛr i, ˈmɛər i /

noun

1. Ave Maria.

2. Also called Hail Mary pass,.  Also called 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.

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Hail Mary British  

noun

1. 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

2. slang American football a very long high pass into the end zone, made in the final seconds of a half or of a game

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Etymology

Origin of Hail Mary

1300–50; Middle English, translation of Medieval Latin Ave Maria

Example Sentences

Now it was time for a Hail Mary.

From The Wall Street Journal

Tossing a lifeline to embattled President Javier Milei before Argentina’s midterm election in October looked like the financial equivalent of a Hail Mary football pass.

From Barron's

Instead of dropping out, though, he opted for a debate Hail Mary.

From The Wall Street Journal

And when a Hail Mary attempt by Mahomes on the final play fell incomplete, Allen and the Bills had escaped with a 28-21 victory.

From The Wall Street Journal

Absent a Hail Mary, Glenn County’s only hospital is set to close its doors in October.

From Los Angeles Times