meager hope

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meager hope" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is very little hope or optimism for a positive outcome. Example: "Despite the challenges ahead, she held on to her meager hope that things would improve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

BIRD flu has not yet turned into a pandemic, but it is already killing the meager hopes of some of the world's poorest people for a marginally better life.

The New York Times

From Stockholm to Vienna to Geneva, East-West negotiations on arms-control and security questions are dead in the water, with only meager hopes that the planned November summit meeting between President Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev might start the engines turning.

Los Angeles Times

Even her wisecracks are meager: "I hope 'madam' doesn't mean over there what it means over her," she writes to Frank in one of her early letters.

The New York Times

It's discouraging to go home to a dinner of meager calories, hoping to lose a few pounds, only to be confronted on TV with images of idealized bodies that are impossible for most of us to attain.

Huffington Post

All in all, our knowledge of risk factors for both the development and rupture of intracranial aneurysms remains rather meager, and hopes are high that genetic research will further increase our understanding of such risk factors.

Genome Medicine

Among the meager glimmers of hope, Macy's stood out a bit, beating analyst's expectations last week after a disappointing second quarter.

The New York Times

A more energy-efficient ring-shaped design for such a warp drive was described recently at a symposium on interstellar space flight, offering a meager shred of hope to diehard space acolytes that for future generations, warp drive will be a reality.

BBC

Yes, injuries can happen at any time, but that's little comfort for the Indiana Pacers whose 2014-15 title hopes, as meager as they were, essentially died the moment George's leg got caught in a Las Vegas stanchion.

The Guardian - Sport

But that's a meager harvest for those hoping for the generous increases 7% for the National Science Foundation (NSF), 3.2% for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and 4.4% for the Department of Energy's Office of Science that Obama had sought in a budget he submitted in February.

Science Magazine

Given the meager evidence available, we cannot hope to settle the matter.

SEP

I'll also never stop hoping that my meager stock options will be worth something someday.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "meager hope" to convey a sense of desperation or a situation where positive outcomes are highly improbable. For example, 'Despite the overwhelming odds, they clung to a "meager hope" of rescue'.

Common error

Avoid using "meager hope" when a more positive outlook is warranted. If there's a reasonable chance of success, a phrase like "cautious optimism" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meager hope" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "meager" modifies the noun "hope". It describes the quality or quantity of hope, emphasizing its insufficiency or weakness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "meager hope" is a valid and usable phrase describing a situation with very little expectation of a positive outcome. As supported by Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase, with the adjective "meager" serving to diminish the noun "hope". It is generally used in a neutral to formal register, particularly in news and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "slim hope" or "faint hope" exist, "meager hope" specifically emphasizes the scarcity and fragility of optimism. Though its frequency is rare, its correct usage can effectively convey a sense of desperation or resignation in challenging situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slim hope

Replaces "meager" with "slim", indicating a small chance.

scant hope

Uses "scant" instead of "meager", implying a deficiency in the amount of hope.

slight hope

Substitutes "meager" with "slight", suggesting a delicate or faint hope.

faint hope

Uses "faint" instead of "meager", portraying a weak or dim prospect.

dim hope

Replaces "meager" with "dim", suggesting a darkened or fading hope.

fragile hope

Emphasizes the delicate and easily broken nature of the hope.

remote possibility

Shifts from "hope" to "possibility", emphasizing the unlikelihood of the outcome.

little chance

Focuses on the "chance" aspect, minimizing the probability of success.

small prospect

Emphasizes the limited outlook or potential.

minimal expectation

Focuses on expectation rather than hope, indicating a low level of anticipation.

FAQs

How can I use "meager hope" in a sentence?

You can use "meager hope" to describe a situation where there is very little expectation of a positive outcome. For example: "Despite the setbacks, they held onto a "meager hope" that the situation would improve."

What phrases are similar to "meager hope"?

Alternatives include "slim hope", "faint hope", or "remote possibility", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "meager hope" a formal or informal expression?

"Meager hope" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more frequently seen in news articles and literary works than in casual conversation.

When is it appropriate to use "meager hope"?

Use "meager hope" when you want to emphasize the scarcity or fragility of hope in a challenging or dire situation. It highlights the minimal expectation of a favorable result.