prayer

*on a wing and a prayer

Fig. to arrive or fly in with one's plane in very bad condition. (Sometimes used fig. of other vehicles. *Typically: come (in) ~; arrive ~.) Finally we could see the plane through the smoke, coming in on a wing and a prayer.

See also: and, wing

in someone's prayers

[of someone] remembered and called by name when someone prays. I am sorry to hear of your sickness. You will be in our prayers. The whole family is in my prayers because they have suffered so much.

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not have a prayer

to be not at all likely to succeed (often + of ) She hasn't a prayer of winning the competition.

See also: have

on a wing and a prayer

if you do something on a wing and a prayer, you do it hoping that you will succeed although you are not prepared enough for it With scarcely any funding and a staff of six, they operate on a wing and a prayer.

See also: and, wing

the answer to somebody's prayers

someone or something that someone has needed very much for a long time A new supermarket delivery service was the answer to my prayers.

See have a lot to answer for

See also: answer

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not have a prayer

to have no chance With an injured ankle, he doesn't have a prayer of winning the race.

Usage notes: sometimes used without not: Do we have a prayer of convincing him to go?

See also: have

the answer to your prayers

exactly what is needed or wanted These new artificial hearts are amazing, but are they the answer to our prayers?

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form the answer to something's prayers: Each new technology has been introduced as the answer to education's prayers.

See also: answer