difficult chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult chance" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning.
It could be used in contexts where you want to describe a situation that presents a challenging opportunity or possibility, but it may require additional context for clarity. Example: "He took a difficult chance by investing in the startup, knowing the risks involved."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Difficult chance but cleverly created.

The Guardian - Sport

He made a difficult chance look easy.

The Guardian - Sport

It was a very difficult chance.

The Guardian - Sport

Helness missed a very difficult chance to defeat the contract.

The New York Times

He made a difficult chance look offensively easy.

The Guardian - Sport

It was a more difficult chance than it looked.

The Guardian - Sport

Did you notice that West missed a difficult chance to defeat the contract?

The New York Times

Then Cook diving at leg gully drops a difficult chance off Raina's paddle sweep.

The Guardian - Sport

That was hit extremely hard and will be extremely painful, a difficult chance.

The Guardian - Sport

It was a difficult chance but Rooney's execution was poor, getting under the ball and blazing over the top.

Independent

Then with an excellent delivery he forced a return catch, but just failed to cling on to a difficult chance.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a missed opportunity, consider using "difficult chance" to convey that the opportunity was present but not easily achievable. For instance: "He missed a "difficult chance" to score the winning goal."

Common error

Avoid using "difficult chance" to describe routine opportunities. If an opportunity is easily achievable under normal circumstances, using this phrase can sound unnatural or exaggerated. Reserve it for situations where there are genuine obstacles or challenges.

Linguistic Context

Adjectival phrase modifying a noun. The phrase "difficult chance" functions to describe a particular opportunity as challenging or not easily attainable. It is commonly used to qualify the noun "chance", indicating the level of effort or skill required to capitalize on it. Ludwig AI indicates its acceptance and frequency through real world example sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult chance" is a common way to describe an opportunity that presents significant challenges or obstacles. Primarily found in news and media contexts, it generally maintains a neutral tone. While grammatically sound, consider using more descriptive alternatives in formal settings for added precision. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its frequent usage and provides relevant examples for better understanding its application. Overall, it’s a versatile phrase for conveying complexity within a given opportunity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging opportunity

Focuses on the difficulty of capitalizing on the chance.

improbable opportunity

Directly states the unlikelihood of the opportunity.

demanding prospect

Emphasizes the high level of effort and skill needed to succeed.

long shot

An idiomatic expression indicating a low probability of success.

slim possibility

Emphasizes the low probability of the chance succeeding.

outside bet

Similar to "long shot", suggesting a low probability wager or chance.

remote prospect

Highlights the distance or unlikelihood of the chance coming to fruition.

tenuous possibility

Highlights the fragility and uncertainty of the chance.

unlikely event

Emphasizes the low probability of the chance happening.

precarious situation

Shifts the focus to the instability and risk associated with the chance.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult chance" in a sentence?

You can use "difficult chance" to describe a situation where an opportunity is present but not easy to achieve. For example, "The batter was presented with a "difficult chance" to tie the game with two outs."

What are some alternatives to "difficult chance"?

You can use alternatives like "challenging opportunity", "improbable opportunity", or "slim possibility" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "difficult chance" in formal writing?

While "difficult chance" is generally acceptable, consider using more precise or formal language depending on your audience and the specific context. Alternatives like "challenging opportunity" may be more suitable in some cases.

What's the difference between "difficult chance" and "easy chance"?

"Difficult chance" refers to an opportunity that is hard to achieve due to various obstacles, while "easy chance" implies an opportunity that is readily achievable without significant effort.