phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

Chance would be a fine thing

Posted by David FG on May 16, 2005

In Reply to: Chance would be a fine thing posted by Desmond Gaynor on May 15, 2005

: What is the origin of the phrase: "chance would be a fine thing"? Is it used only in the UK? Perhaps someone might also like to define the appropriate context for the phrase. As I understand it, the phrase is used where one is talking about some eventuality or set of circumstances one would like to see come about but which one thinks unlikely - usually because of lack of co-operation or goodwill on the part of someone else.

I don't know the origin, but I would use it in circumstances such as this:

Person A 'I wouldn't drive a Rolls Royce'.

Person B 'Chance would be a fine thing'.

That is, something has been ruled out which was extremely unlikely in the first place.

I hope that makes sense.

DFG

© 1997 – 2024 Phrases.org.uk. All rights reserved.