ditch chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ditch chance" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It seems to be an attempt to express the idea of giving up an opportunity or taking a risk, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "If you want to succeed, don't ditch your chance to network at the conference."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The Basque derby ended with Gero Rulli's last ditch chance, three yards out, being pulled back for offside.

The Guardian - Sport

He spends the first half of every match feeling 'aggressive' and by the end has usually become 'furious', at which point any last ditch chance to win the game he will without fail lash 10 yards over the bar.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It could be seen as a last-ditch chance to rescue some vestige of credibility after his months singing from Desmond's hymn book.

The Guardian

The recall effort is considered the opposition's last-ditch chance to remove Mr. Chávez from office before the 2006 presidential election.

The New York Times

It wouldn't cure him — surgery or not, he had at the most a few months left — but it offered a last-ditch chance of halting the progression of spinal-cord damage and possibly restoring some strength to his legs and sphincters.

The New Yorker

He's betting everything on a last-ditch chance at a big payday, hoping he can sell the Saudi king, Abdullah, on a lucrative technology contract — a contract that depends on Alan's going to a remote real estate development in Saudi Arabia and making an elaborate holographic presentation to the king, who may or may not even show up.

The New York Times - Books

It wouldn't cure him — surgery or not, he had at the most a few months left — but it offered a last-ditch chance of halting the progression of spinal-cord damage and possibly restoring some strength to his legs and sphincters..

The New Yorker

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hopes the TPP has a last-ditch chance.

Huffington Post

It happened after the taping of an interview with him, Paul Giamatti and Bryce Dallas Howard -- all of whom are wisely busting their asses to promote Shyamalan's latest cinematic insomnia cure and last-ditch chance at cultural relevance, Lady in the Water.

Huffington Post

Why, this debacle has even supposedly ditched George Entwistle's chance of becoming DG.

The Guardian

At the party, things are going O.K. in spite of the red-haired girl ditching him first chance she has, hooking up with one of the older guys.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "ditch chance" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more commonly accepted alternatives like "missed opportunity" or "abandoned opportunity".

Common error

Don't assume "ditch chance" is a recognized idiom. Using it can confuse readers and detract from your message. Always double-check unfamiliar phrases to ensure they are grammatically correct and widely understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ditch chance" functions as a noun phrase, seemingly attempting to describe a lost or abandoned opportunity. However, it is not a standard or grammatically correct construction. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is not commonly used and may not be readily understood.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ditch chance" is an uncommon and grammatically questionable expression that attempts to convey the idea of missing or abandoning an opportunity. Ludwig AI confirms it is not a standard English phrase. While it may appear in informal contexts like news articles, it's best to replace it with clearer and more widely accepted alternatives such as "missed opportunity" or "lost opportunity" to ensure your message is accurately understood. Due to the limited examples and grammatical issues, the phrase is best avoided in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

missed opportunity

Replaces "ditch chance" with a standard phrase indicating a failure to seize a favorable moment.

lost opportunity

Similar to "missed opportunity", but emphasizes the permanent loss of the chance.

abandoned opportunity

Focuses on the act of giving up or discarding a potential advantage.

forfeited opportunity

Implies a loss of the chance due to a specific action or inaction.

relinquished opportunity

Suggests a voluntary surrender of the chance.

sacrificed opportunity

Highlights that the chance was given up for the sake of something else.

passed up chance

A more informal way of saying that someone declined or ignored an opportunity.

declined opportunity

A formal way of expressing that an opportunity was refused.

waived opportunity

Indicates that someone intentionally gave up their right to the opportunity.

renounced opportunity

Similar to "relinquished opportunity" but with a stronger sense of formal rejection.

FAQs

Is "ditch chance" grammatically correct?

No, "ditch chance" is not grammatically correct and isn't a recognized idiom in standard English. It's best to avoid using this phrase.

What are some alternatives to "ditch chance"?

You can use alternatives like "missed opportunity", "lost opportunity", or "abandoned opportunity" depending on the context.

How can I avoid using incorrect phrases like "ditch chance"?

Always double-check phrases you are unsure about in a reliable dictionary or grammar guide. Using a tool like Ludwig can help you see how a phrase is actually used in published writing.

What does "ditch chance" even mean?

It seems to imply giving up or missing out on an opportunity. However, because it's not a standard phrase, its meaning might not be clear to everyone. Using a clearer alternative is always preferable.