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Meaning & use

a sporting chance

phrase·Everyday

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UK/ə ˈspɔːtɪŋ tʃɑːns/
US/ə ˈspɔːrtɪŋ tʃæns/

Meaning

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    A reasonable possibility of succeeding or winning.

    Grammar: Often used in the patterns 'have a sporting chance' or 'give someone a sporting chance'.

    Patterns

    • have a sporting chance
    • give someone a sporting chance
    • a sporting chance of doing something

    With only ten minutes left, the team still had a sporting chance of equalizing.

    The new candidate has a sporting chance of winning if turnout is high.

Common combinations

have a sporting chance
We have a sporting chance of finishing the project on time.
give someone a sporting chance
The teacher gave the students a sporting chance to improve their grades.
a sporting chance of success
After the repairs, the old car has a sporting chance of passing inspection.
not have a sporting chance
Without more funding, the small theater does not have a sporting chance.

Synonyms and how they differ

a fair chance
A fair chance emphasizes that the opportunity is just and unbiased, while a sporting chance emphasizes that success is reasonably possible.
a fighting chance
A fighting chance suggests success is possible only with great effort; a sporting chance is a little more neutral.

Opposites

no chance

Word family

sporting adjective
Fair and generous in behavior, or relating to sports.
sport noun
A physical game or activity; the base of 'sporting'.

Commonly confused: a sporting chance or a good chance?

a sporting chance vs a good chance

'A good chance' means a high probability; 'a sporting chance' means only a reasonable possibility, not necessarily a strong one.

Practice

After the injury, the player still had a ___ chance of returning this season.

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