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Diamond
fat / slim chance
Can I use fat chance as the opposite of slim chance?
I have a fat chance of winning.
Does it mean there is a chance or there is no chance?
Are there other expressions that can be used instead of 'fat chance'?
Thanks!
Jul 5, 2012 5:10 PM
Answers · 2
2
No, They both mean little or no chance of success. Fat chance is the ironic form and slim chance is the direct form. Irony means you say something but mean the opposite.Another idiomatic way of saying this is "no way"
John
July 5, 2012
2
'Fat chance' is the sarcastic form of 'slim slim' chance.
If I said 'fat chance of that happening" I would mean that it doesn't have very much chance at all.
'Fat chance' is potentially offensive if a person is asking you about their own chances of success. It is less offensive when talking about a another person or group.
"Tom said he'd pay for everybody's drinks. Fat chance of that happening! We all know how he holds on to money."
"Maybe your dad will let you go with us on the camping trip." "Oh, fat chance! There's no other adults on the trip."
If you wanted to say the opposite of 'slim chance' you would say 'it has a pretty good chance' or 'it's very probable.'
July 5, 2012
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Diamond
Language Skills
Arabic, English, French
Learning Language
English, French
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