Hail Mary

[ heyl mer-ee, mair-ee ]

noun

1. Ave Maria.
2. Also called Hail Mary pass,. a long forward pass in football, especially as a last-ditch attempt at the end of a game, where completion is considered unlikely.

Hail Mary

noun

1. Also calledAve 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hail Mary¹

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

Example Sentences

As an election tactic, it was a Hail-Mary move: a half-hour address by an aging actor of no political standing or constituency.

From The Daily Beast

With Terri Lynn Land looking like a goner, Republicans are throwing a wild Hail Mary—using 2004 tactics to gain a Senate seat.

From The Daily Beast

“It sounded like they were praying the Hail Mary,” Gozik recalled.

From The Daily Beast

It does, however, get at the Hail Mary aspect of both picks by nominees behind in the polls.

From The Daily Beast

To Paul, this speech was sort of a fear mongering “Hail Mary” speech.

From The Daily Beast

The exhortation was usually followed by a loud saying of a Paternoster and a "Hail Mary" by all present.

From Project Gutenberg

After the prayer of praise in the "Hail Mary" there follows the prayer of supplication which the Church has added.

From Project Gutenberg

Certain critics of the Rosary cannot understand why the Hail Mary is so frequently repeated.

From Project Gutenberg

The "Hail Mary" proved a bit difficult for Hannah, and she finally abandoned it.

From Project Gutenberg

I have received a light that thou art to be the model for the 'Hail Mary!'

From Project Gutenberg