stood no chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stood no chance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone or something had very low or no chance of succeeding. Example sentence: "The unloved candidate stood no chance in the election and ended up losing by a large margin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They stood no chance".

The Economist

But he stood no chance.

The Guardian

The poor creature stood no chance.

The Guardian - Books

Those below deck stood no chance.

The Guardian

They stood no chance in one-party Baathist Iraq.

The Economist

Nevertheless, Truman refused to believe he stood no chance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The amendment stood no chance of being passed.

The New York Times

At $6 million to $8 million, the Memling stood no chance.

The New York Times - Arts

Literature stood no chance against the competition of reality in 1993.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The arrow had entered his left flank and he stood no chance of survival.

Independent

Eventually, he realized that he stood no chance of becoming a good poet and gave up.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stood no chance" to emphasize a complete lack of opportunity or ability to succeed, especially when highlighting a significant power imbalance or disadvantage.

Common error

While "stood no chance" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in very informal or casual conversations where simpler expressions might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stood no chance" functions as a predicative expression, indicating a complete lack of opportunity or ability to succeed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and the numerous examples illustrate its descriptive power in conveying insurmountable odds.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

81%

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stood no chance" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that emphatically conveys a lack of opportunity or ability to succeed. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, and its prevalence in news, media, and encyclopedic sources demonstrates its versatility. While generally neutral in register, it's most effective in highlighting significant power imbalances or disadvantages, indicating a situation where success was virtually impossible. Consider alternatives like "had no hope" or "was doomed" for varied emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had no hope

This alternative suggests a complete absence of hope for a positive outcome.

had no prospect

This alternative emphasizes the absence of any realistic possibility of success.

was doomed

This implies that the outcome was predetermined and negative.

didn't have a prayer

An informal way to express that someone had virtually no chance.

was outmatched

This highlights the superior strength or ability of the opponent.

was defenseless

Focuses on the inability to protect oneself from a negative outcome.

faced insurmountable odds

Emphasizes the extreme difficulty and improbability of success.

had zero opportunity

Indicates a complete lack of favorable circumstances or chances.

was sure to fail

Highlights the high probability of an unsuccessful outcome.

could not compete

Focuses on the inability to effectively engage in a contest or competition.

FAQs

How can I use "stood no chance" in a sentence?

You can use "stood no chance" to indicate a lack of opportunity or ability to succeed. For example, "Against such a powerful opponent, he "stood no chance"."

What is a more formal alternative to "stood no chance"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "had no prospect" or "faced insurmountable odds" to convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.

Is it grammatically correct to say "stands no chance" instead of "stood no chance"?

Yes, "stands no chance" is grammatically correct and can be used in the present tense, while "stood no chance" is used in the past tense. For example, "The proposal "stands no chance" of being approved."

What does it mean when someone "didn't have a prayer" versus "stood no chance"?

"Didn't have a prayer" is an informal idiom that also means someone had virtually no chance. While both convey a lack of opportunity, "didn't have a prayer" is more colloquial than "stood no chance".