be in (one's) prayers
To be the object of one's sympathy and concern. Used especially in reference to someone who has just suffered a tragic loss or is otherwise experiencing a painful or challenging time. I'm so sorry to hear about your mom, Ellen. You're in my prayers. A: "I can't believe the Millers' house burned down." B: "I know, it's horrible. They're in all of our prayers." I heard about your husband's illness. Please know that he's in our prayers.
have a prayer
To not have any chance at all of doing or achieving something. Almost always used in the negative. With that giant supermarket opening up across the street, our little grocery store won't have a prayer of staying open. You think you can beat me? Ha! You don't have a prayer. If you ask me, this scrawny newcomer doesn't have a prayer of winning his wrestling match.
in (one's) prayers
A phrase often used to express one's sympathy for someone else, especially someone who has just suffered a tragic loss or is otherwise experiencing a painful or challenging time. I'm so sorry to hear about your mom, Ellen. You're in my prayers. A: "I can't believe the Millers' house burned down." B: "I know, it's horrible. We're keeping them all in our prayers." I heard about your husband's illness. Please know that he's in our prayers.
not a hope in hell
Absolutely no possibility of succeeding, coming to pass, or achieving something. There's not a hope in hell that you'll find me living in this town after I graduate.
not a prayer
Little or no chance or possibility (of succeeding, coming to pass, or achieving something). There's not a prayer of them getting into the playoffs this year. A: "Do you think there's any chance they'll convict the CEO?" B: "Not a prayer—he's too rich and powerful."
not have a prayer
To be completely impossible or incredibly unlikely; to have no chance whatsoever. With the way that the other team has been playing, I'm afraid our guys don't have a prayer. That bill doesn't have a prayer of passing.
on a hope and a prayer
With the hope of a positive outcome despite little chance of success. I didn't have time to edit my term paper, so I just submitted it on a hope and a prayer. Businesses in the new mall are opening on a hope and a prayer that customers will start arriving soon.
on a wing and a prayer
With the hope of a positive outcome despite little chance of success. I didn't have time to edit my term paper, so I just submitted it on a wing and a prayer. Businesses in the new mall are opening on a hope and a prayer that customers will start arriving soon.
prayer bones
One's knees, as it is most common to prayer while kneeling. Sometimes written as one word. I was down on my prayer bones all night asking God for advice on what to do. Church has always been a regular fixture of this community, getting together each Sunday and getting down on our prayer bones together.
the answer to a maiden's prayer
1. obsolete An eligible bachelor, especially one of stable means or good character; a man who would be ideal for a young woman to marry. The handsome young gentleman dismounted his horse. He was courteous, well educated, and wealthy—the answer to a maiden's prayer, to be sure.
2. An ideal or seemingly miraculous solution to some problem or predicament. The oil industry is touting the new technology as a way to preserve the environment without giving up fossil fuels, but can it really be the answer to a maiden's prayer?
the/an answer to (one's) prayer(s)
The perfect solution to a desperate need. Can be used literally (when one has actually prayed) or in a more figurative sense. I really believed this job was the answer to my prayer for a better life. This grant is an answer to our prayers. The center can stay open now!
the/an answer to all (of) (one's) problems
The perfect or ideal solution to one's needs or difficulties. I really believed this job was the answer to all my problems, but I'm two weeks in and I still feel dissatisfied with my life. This federal arts grant could be an answer to all of our problems. If they give it to us, we will no longer have to worry about how we'll pay for the theater's rent.
thoughts and prayers
A phrase often used as part of an attempt to comfort someone who has just suffered a tragic loss, as in, "Our thoughts and prayers are with you." The frequent use of the phrase or similar expressions by politicians after mass shootings in the US has increasingly been criticized by those who believe it is used to avoid pursuing tangible actions, notably changes to gun laws. You can keep your thoughts and prayers, senator—they won't give me my sister back.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
not have a prayer
If you say that someone does not have a prayer, you mean that it is impossible for them to achieve something. The team was on such good form, their opponents didn't have a prayer. He did not seem to have a prayer of regaining the world title.
on a wing and a prayer
If you do something on a wing and a prayer, you do it in the hope that you will succeed, even though you do not have what you need to do it. Dozens of airlines have entered the industry on a wing and a prayer, and dozens have gone bankrupt. In the past, teams have been run on a wing and a prayer. Note: This is the title of a song by H. Adamson, written in 1943, which referred to the emergency landing of an aircraft: `Tho' there's one motor gone, we can still carry on, Comin' In On A Wing And A Pray'r.'
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012