on the (off) chance
on the (off) chance
In the unlikely event. On the off chance that you get home before me, can you put the roast in the oven?
on the chance
In the (usually unlikely) possibility (that something may happen or be the case). You'll probably need to replace your washing machine, but on the chance that I can fix it, let me open it up and take a look. I don't think Jack would go on a date with me, but on the chance that he says yes, I'm going to ask him anyway!
on the off chance
In the very slight, remote, or unlikely possibility (that something may happen or be the case). You'll probably need to replace your washing machine, but on the off chance that I can fix it, let me open it up and take a look. I don't think Jack would go on a date with me, but on the off chance that he says yes, I'm going to ask him anyway!
on the off chance
because of a slight possibility that something may happen or might be the case; just in case. I went to the theater on the off chance that there were tickets for the show left. We didn't think we would get into the football game, but we went on the off chance.
on the off chance
see under on the chance that.
on the off chance
just in case. 1992 Neal Stephenson Snow Crash They upload staggering quantities of useless information to the database, on the off chance that some of it will eventually be useful.
on the ˈoff chance
(informal) hoping that something will happen, even if it is unlikely: I called at their house on the off chance that they’d let me stay, but they weren’t at home.on the off chance
In the slight hope or possibility.