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). Usually followed by "of" or "that." 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 know it's supposed to stay dry tonight, but on the off chance of rain, please put the kids' bikes back in the shed anyway.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
on the off chance
see under on the chance that.
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.
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.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
on the off chance
In the slight hope or possibility.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.