on the chance that

Idioms  

1. On the possibility that, as in I came early on the chance that we might have time to chat. This phrase uses chance in the sense of “a possibility or probability for some event,” a usage dating from the late 1700s. It is sometimes put as on the off chance, meaning “on the slight but unlikely possibility,” as in I came late on the off chance that I could avoid Thomas. The addition of off in the sense of “remote” dates from the mid-1800s.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

on the chance that

You’d be betting on the chance that someone will be willing to pay more than you did for an inherently worthless investment, because they think someone will pay more than they did, and so forth.

From Salon ● Dec. 17, 2024

“They are interested in collecting whatever data they have and putting it into a database on the chance that the snowboarder would become a politician or a leader in a position of influence,” Austin said.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 20, 2022

But on the chance that Brady gets the urge to play again?

From Washington Times ● Feb. 1, 2022

Wolves should have won this game based on the chance that presented itself to Conor Coady.

From BBC ● Mar. 8, 2021

Between classes he scanned the faces in the hallways on the chance that the boy had come to school late.

From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen