eye to the main chance, have an

have an eye on/for/to the main chance

To be continuously seeking opportunities to advance oneself or make money. The term often refers to someone who is ambitious without consideration of others. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. You just have an eye on the main chance—you don't care if I succeed or fail. He's a bookie—he doesn't care if you make money, he just has an eye for the main chance. You've got to have an eye to the main chance if you want to really succeed in this industry. Someone else's loss could be your gain!

See also: an, chance, eye, for, have, main, on, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

eye to the main chance, have an

Look out for one's own best interest. For example, Tom is watching the company's progress very closely; he always has an eye to the main chance . [c. 1600]

See also: an, eye, have, main, to

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

have (or with) an eye for (or on or to) the main chance

look or be looking for an opportunity to take advantage of a situation for personal gain, especially when this is financial.

This expression is taken from the use of main chance in the gambling game of hazard, where it refers to a number (5, 6, 7, or 8) called by a player before throwing the dice.

See also: an, chance, eye, for, have, main

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