fighting chance
Underdog's slim possibility
A fighting chance is a possibility of success, but only if serious effort is made.
The phrase implies the odds aren't favorable but aren't hopeless either—victory requires struggle: The treatment gave her a fighting chance.
Without the modifier, a mere "chance" suggests better odds; a fighting chance acknowledges you'll have to work for it.
- dark horseUnlikely but possible winner
- struggleLabored effort against resistance
- potentialLatent capacity for development
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- hopeDesire for good outcomes
ray of hope · contest · underdog · hail mary · come from behind · against all odds · battle · lucky break · possibility · turnaround · survival · skin of teeth · uphill battle · do or die · tenacity · last hope · competitive · determination
- opportunitygolden opportunity, window of opportunity, opportunity knocks, once in a lifetime, big break
- long shotslong shot, longshot, long odds, dark horse, underdog
- underdog storiesunderdog, comeback, long shot, dark horse, upset victory
fighting chancesure thing
Guaranteed outcome or agreement
certainty · foregone conclusion · no chance · slam dunk · impossibility
fighting chancelost cause
Endeavor certain to fail
futility · hopelessness · despair · helplessness · dead end
fight, fighting, chance, fights, fought, fighter, fighters, chances, chanced