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main chance

American  

noun

  1. an opportunity offering the greatest gain.

    Being ambitious, he always had an eye for the main chance.


Etymology

Origin of main chance

First recorded in 1570–80


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

“We don’t have our own performing arts center here in Kent, so Spotlight Series is our main chance for people to see really high-quality performing arts entertainment close to home,” Billerbeck said.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 20, 2022

In the frenzied search for COVID-19 treatments, it may be difficult to distinguish promising efforts from those just grasping at the main chance.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 14, 2020

Born in Kansas City, Katherine Noel Brosnahan took the path so many Midwesterners have and headed for New York City and the main chance.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 7, 2018

Mrs. Lovett is an incredible comic creation, a dirty Cockney doll, always looking for the main chance.

From The New Yorker ● Mar. 5, 2017

But this was my main chance, the only one.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

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