Idioms

snowball's chance in hell

Also found in: Acronyms.

a snowball's chance in hell

An infinitely small possibility, chance, or likelihood, to the point of being impossible. Usually used in the phrase "not have a snowball's chance in hell." That candidate doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of winning an election in this part of the state. We haven't got a snowball's chance in hell if we have to compete against some mega corporation like that! I knew I wouldn't have more than a snowball's chance in hell of getting in, but I sent in my application anyway.
See also: chance, hell
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

snowball’s chance in hell

n. a very poor chance. (Usually in the negative.) She doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of getting it done on time.
See also: chance, hell
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

snowball's chance in hell, no more than/not a

No chance at all. The hell in question, of course, is the fabulously hot place of tradition. This term appears to have replaced the earlier no more chance than a cat in hell without claws, an eighteenth-century locution that, according to Grose’s Dictionary, was applied to a person quarreling with or fighting against a much stronger opponent. The current cliché comes from late nineteenth-century America; in Britain and other English-speaking countries it is sometimes put as a snowflake’s chance in hell. See also Chinaman's chance.
See also: chance, more, no, not
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
See also:
References in periodicals archive
4 Till Death US Do Part: Hilarious sitcom about an ill-matched couple who are the only two people on Earth who believe their marriage stands a snowball's chance in hell of lasting the course.
GIMME FIVE; ...of Sir Paul McCartney's favourite TV shows..
Everyone knew for months that Sunderland didn't have a snowball's chance in hell of staying up, they don't have two players worthy of the Premiership and God himself couldn't have kept them in the Premiership.
Football: Patsy - BOARD'S STUPID
If you'd been stopped with a phone which had never left your handbag or briefcase or pocket, you wouldn't have stood a snowball's chance in Hell of wriggling out of such an accusation.
Case of crossed lines?
Put it this way, he may look like an iceman, but he hasn't got a snowball's chance in hell.
WATER RESEMBLANCE
She is nearly 27, but her dad is still fine-tuning her talent (word to the wise, dad she ain't got none) and pushing her into auditions she hasn't got a snowball's chance in hell of winning.
Frances Traynor: Pushy parents should be taught a lesson; Pushy Parents ITV, Monday
This at least would be fair and equitable...and why the idea hasn't a snowball's chance in hell.
Stotty on Sunday: WAGE RAGE
Now we'd all like to think he didn't stand a snowball's chance in hell of ever getting re-elected.
Voice of The Sunday People: Victims of Omagh deserve better than Mr Mackey
It's lucky for Michaela - and the rest of us - that she hasn't got a snowball's chance in hell of winning in either seat.
HOLYROOD Confidential: CHUMP OF THE DAY
Swail desperately wants to win here, but until last month he didn't believe he had a snowball's chance in hell of achieving the goal.
WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP: OLD PALS' ACT BEST FOR JOE
We don't believe in those tedious contests, appearing in London-based tabloids, where you have a snowball's chance in hell of winning the one cash prize.
Bid 'N' Win; Collect the cash and bid for prizes
And in a Daily Ireland interview he said: "There is not a snowball's chance in hell that I would even involve myself in an incident like that.
TOP REPUBLICAN DENIES MURDER
He admits he has a "snowball's chance in Hell" of being elected.
TALKING POLITICS: Gawain Towler
SINN Fein chief Martin McGuinness yesterday said there wasn't a "snowball's chance in hell" of the IRA giving up its weapons by next May.
IRA TO KEEP WEAPONS; SInn Fein boss dismisses handover
The newsman, who is convinced of Jacko's innocence, added: "I don't believe there's a snowball's chance in hell he'll be convicted.
JACKO: God smiles on me for bringing kids in to Neverland.. Some men have their Ferraris. My bliss is in having innocent fun.
He reckoned he had "a snowball's chance in hell" of winning so headed to Perth's international airport.
ANDY'S SIMPLY OZ-SOME
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