Not a chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Not a chance" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express strong refusal or disbelief regarding a possibility or suggestion. Example: "When he asked if I would lend him my car after he crashed his, I replied, 'Not a chance!'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Not a chance, Bernie.

The New York Times

"Not a chance," Michael replied.

The New Yorker

Not a chance, Ramos said.

The New Yorker

"Not a chance," I said.

The New Yorker

Not a chance, she'd thought.

The New Yorker

Not a chance in hell.

Independent

Not a chance in the world.

The New Yorker

Not a chance to speak her mind.

The New York Times

Not a chance: we humans are undefeated.

The New York Times

"Not a chance," said one book-dealer.

The Economist

Not a chance, mate.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Not a chance" to express strong disagreement or denial, particularly when you want to convey a sense of certainty that something will not happen. This phrase is effective in both spoken and written contexts to add emphasis to your refusal.

Common error

While "Not a chance" is widely understood, reserve it for informal or neutral situations. In professional or academic writing, opt for more formal alternatives like "There is no possibility" or "That is not feasible" to maintain a suitable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Not a chance" functions as an emphatic negative response, used to express strong disagreement, denial, or impossibility. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage as a clear way to reject a suggestion or idea. This idiomatic expression leaves no room for doubt.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Not a chance" is a common and emphatic phrase used to express strong disagreement or denial. Ludwig AI analysis confirms it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media sources. While suitable for neutral and informal contexts, more formal alternatives should be considered for professional or academic writing. This expression effectively conveys certainty that something is impossible or entirely out of the question.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Absolutely not

A more direct and emphatic refusal.

No way

A more informal and colloquial expression of denial.

Out of the question

Indicates that something is completely unacceptable or impossible.

No possibility

Emphasizes the lack of any chance for something to occur.

No prospect

Similar to 'no possibility', but focuses on future expectations.

Never going to happen

Highlights the unlikelihood of an event occurring.

Dream on

An ironic response indicating that something is highly unrealistic.

When pigs fly

A sarcastic idiom used to express disbelief in a future event.

Not in a million years

Emphasizes the extreme unlikelihood of something occurring.

Forget about it

Suggests dismissing a request or idea as unrealistic or undesirable.

FAQs

How can I use "Not a chance" in a sentence?

Use "Not a chance" to firmly deny a request or suggestion. For example, "Do you think I'll help you cheat on the test? Not a chance."

What are some alternatives to saying "Not a chance"?

You can use alternatives like "absolutely not", "no way", or "out of the question" depending on the context.

Is "Not a chance" appropriate for formal writing?

While widely understood, "Not a chance" is generally more appropriate for informal or neutral contexts. Consider using alternatives such as "There is no possibility" or "That is not feasible" in formal writing.

What's the difference between "Not a chance" and "unlikely"?

"Not a chance" expresses a stronger degree of impossibility than "unlikely". "Not a chance" indicates a firm denial or certainty that something will not occur, whereas "unlikely" suggests a low probability but not complete impossibility.