grim chance

USAGE SUMMARY

"grim chance" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe a situation that is unlikely to have a positive outcome, for example: "The workers held out hope for a better contract, but they had little more than a grim chance of success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Today, resurgent terrorist groups have killed hundreds of moderate Sunnis who once fought them, and are offering others a grim chance to save their lives — by "repenting" and joining the extremists.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Despite the grim chances, Schweickert, 67, was determined to find a way to give back the gold Lord Egin timepiece to a surviving family member, according to Walnut Patch.

Huffington Post

It was the shock of 9/11 that gave China a grim golden chance to make itself more useful to the US (and target its own Muslim dissidents in Xinjiang province) by signing up to the war on terror.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the prognosis when she came out was grim, a 10% chance of survival.

The Guardian

Libby, aware that his chances were grim, contacted Joshua Bolten, who considered Libby a friend, to ask to meet with the president directly.

The New York Times - Magazine

After Carson had finished his grim cross-examiniation, Wildes' chances of winning the case and saving his own self were in the dust.

The New Yorker

But the chances looked grim at first because Mr. Clinton had been scheduled to visit France while the insurance agents were convening.

The New York Times

It's a chance to witness grim prehistory, as some Neanderthal family naïvely ferries Aperol spritzers to the new Cro-Magnon clan next door.

The New Yorker

"It's not easy to sit here and tell you that Clinton has a 98percentt chance of winning," Grim wrote.

Vice

In his 1985 essay, "The Median Isn't the Message," he described how he then closely studied those grim statistics to optimize his chances.

The New York Times

A few may even mutter, unkindly, that Germany, for the third time in just over a century, has wrecked the continent.How can Europe avoid this grim outcome and improve the chances of a better future?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grim chance", ensure the context clearly establishes the severity and unlikelihood of a positive outcome. It's often used to add dramatic weight to a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "grim chance" when the situation is merely unfavorable rather than genuinely dire. Overuse can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grim chance" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "grim" modifies the noun "chance", indicating the poor quality or unlikelihood associated with that chance. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes a situation unlikely to have a positive outcome.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grim chance" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe situations with a very low probability of a positive outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, where it serves to emphasize the severity and unlikelihood of success. Alternatives like "slim possibility" or "remote prospect" can be used to convey a similar meaning. While the phrase is generally acceptable, overuse or application in less serious scenarios should be avoided to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slim possibility

Emphasizes the low probability of success or a positive outcome.

remote prospect

Highlights how distant or unlikely a desired result is.

bleak outlook

Focuses on the pessimistic view and unfavorable conditions surrounding a situation.

long shot

Indicates a venture with minimal chances of succeeding.

poor odds

Directly states that the likelihood of success is low.

unfavorable prospects

Highlights the negative future possibilities.

meager hope

Conveys a sense of minimal optimism.

slight hope

Indicates a small amount of optimism despite negative circumstances.

dubious opportunity

Suggests that an apparent chance may not be beneficial or trustworthy.

tenuous possibility

Underlines the fragility and uncertainty of a potential outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "grim chance" to describe a situation where success is highly improbable and the outlook is bleak. For example, "Despite their efforts, the team had a "grim chance" of winning the championship".

What phrases are similar to "grim chance"?

Alternatives to "grim chance" include "slim possibility", "remote prospect", and "bleak outlook". These phrases convey a similar sense of unlikelihood and pessimism.

Is "grim chance" formal or informal?

"Grim chance" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's most commonly found in news articles and opinion pieces, which tend to be neutral in tone.

Which is more appropriate: "small chance" or "grim chance"?

While both phrases indicate low probability, "grim chance" suggests that the situation is not only unlikely to succeed but also carries negative consequences or a dire atmosphere. Use "small chance" in less severe situations.