on the off-chance

on the off-chance
if you do something on the off-chance, you do it because you hope you will get or find something or someone, even if it is not very likely.

I don't think he works in the shop on Saturdays, but you could stop by on the off-chance.

Journalists often investigate film stars' private lives on the off-chance that they might find something scandalous.

(often + that)

She flew in from New York on the off-chance of getting tickets to see Becker play his last match at Wimbledon.

(often + of + doing something)

New idioms dictionary. 2014.

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  • on the off-chance —    If you do something on the off chance, you think there might be a slight possibility of success.     I went into the supermarket on the off chance that I would find a map …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • on the off chance — if you do something on the off chance, you do it even though you think it is unlikely to succeed She thought of ringing him on the off chance of catching him at home …   English dictionary

  • on the (off) chance — just in case. → chance …   English new terms dictionary

  • on the off chance — because it is possible but unlikely. I bought a first edition of the book on the off chance that it might be valuable someday …   New idioms dictionary

  • on the (off) chance — idi on the (off) chance, counting on the (slight) possibility …   From formal English to slang

  • off-chance — n off chance on the off chance if you do something on the off chance that something will happen, you do it hoping that it will happen although it is unlikely ▪ I just came to see you on the off chance that Pippa might be here …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • off chance — off ,chance noun on the off chance in the hope that something will happen or succeed, although it seems unlikely: I called on the off chance he d be at home …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • off-chance — also offchance PHRASE: PHR after v, oft PHR that, PHR of n/ ing If you do something on the off chance, you do it because you hope that it will succeed, although you think that this is unlikely. He had taken a flight to Paris on the off chance… …   English dictionary

  • off-chance — /ˈɒf tʃæns / (say of chans), / tʃans/ (say chahns) noun 1. a remote chance or possibility. –phrase 2. do something on the off chance, to embark on a course of action casually setting aside the odds against its completion: *I am writing this on… …  

  • ˈoff-ˌchance — noun on the off chance in the hope that something will happen or succeed, although it seems unlikely[/ex] I called on the off chance he d be at home.[/ex] …   Dictionary for writing and speaking English

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