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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fighting chance

“We have always said that our presence next to a child in a courtroom is one of the only things that gives them a fighting chance at justice in our broken immigration system.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026

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

Scotland's outstanding performance in their 50-40 win over France has given them a fighting chance of a first Six Nations title.

From BBC ● Mar. 9, 2026

And that meant that Barron’s stockpickers stood a fighting chance when it came to beating the market.

From Barron's ● Jan. 29, 2026

Adams tried to laugh himself out of the monarchical morass, claiming that he simply wanted to assure that the executive branch of the government enjoyed a fighting chance against the awesome powers of the legislature.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

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