on the off chance
13
6.7
- idiom
- I applied for the job on the off chance that I might get an interview.
- just on the off chance
- on the off chance that we actually
- on the off chance I ever
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Watch on YouTubeMaybe that's worth doing a little work towards it on the off chance it might be true.
- Maybe that's worth doing a little work towards it on the off chance it might be true.
- So anyway, I've looked because just on the off chance and no one there, I'll no one there.
Examples
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Still, when I'm in a new place, I do tend to leaf through the Yellow Pages in an idle moment, on the off chance that I might find listings like Metaphysicians or Cat Walkers or Husbands.
Fiction book (1995) -
"I went straight to Internal Affairs and told them to check it out on the off chance that some of my officers are involved."
Fiction book (2000) -
It's a long time to wait just on the off chance.
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I arrived then, on the off chance it might be on time.
Fiction book (1992) -
But on the off chance that they are much worse, there could be an impact.
Blog text (34) -
So I would propose we all start working together on the off chance that some good can still come out of this nightmare.
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You read about men; they get so obsessed with a woman that they go to restaurants on the off chance she'll be there.
Fiction book (1995) -
Hours earlier, they'd run out of things to say, yet neither wanted to leave the room on the off chance a rescue boat would appear.
Fiction book (2002) -
On the off chance that he comes back alive, then I will turn up the hem for his party.
Fiction book (1996) -
Maybe that's worth doing a little work towards it on the off chance it might be true.
Synonyms
10
3.4
A very small possibility that something will happen
6
3.5
A very small possibility that something will happen
Antonyms
How Likely
946
1.0
200
3.4
∞
1.0
13
6.7
487
1.9
∞
1.4
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun 'chance' (possibility) and the preposition 'on' (indicating occasion) are transparent, so a learner could plausibly infer the phrase relates to doing something because of a possibility. However, the use of 'off' to signal a slight or remote probability is a collocational/idiomatic choice and the fixed sequence 'on the off chance' and its nuance (slight/unlikely possibility) are not fully predictable from the parts alone, so partial inference but not full transparency applies.
Etymology
On the off chance comes from a simple image: an off chance is a small possibility sitting to one side, so you do something 'just in case' that tiny chance happens.