Buckley's chance meaning

Buckley's chance means having little to no hope or possibility of success.


Buckley's chance definitions

Word backwards s'yelkcuB ecnahc
Part of speech Buckley's chance is a noun phrase.
Syllabic division Buck-ley's chance
Plural The plural of the word "Buckley's chance" is "Buckley's chances."
Total letters 14
Vogais (3) u,e,a
Consonants (8) b,c,k,l,y,s,h,n

Buckley's chance is a popular Australian idiom that refers to having little or no chance of success or winning in a given situation, originating from the story of an escaped convict named William Buckley.

History of Buckley's Chance

William Buckley was a convict who was transported to Australia in the early 19th century. He escaped from custody in 1803 and lived with Indigenous Australians for over 30 years before being found by European settlers in 1835.

Origin of the Idiom

The phrase "Buckley's chance" is believed to have originated from William Buckley's seemingly impossible odds of surviving in the Australian wilderness for so long. Over time, it has come to symbolize a very slim or nonexistent chance of success.

Usage of Buckley's Chance

Today, the idiom is commonly used in Australian English to describe situations where the likelihood of success is extremely low. It is often used in a humorous or ironic context to convey the feeling of having little hope or prospects.

Despite its negative connotations, the phrase "Buckley's chance" has become a part of Australian vernacular and is widely understood by native English speakers in the country.

In conclusion, Buckley's chance is a unique idiom that has its roots in Australian history and continues to be used in modern language to express the idea of having very little chance of success.


Buckley's chance Examples

  1. Despite her hard work, she knew she had Buckley's chance of winning the competition.
  2. With the storm raging outside, the hikers had Buckley's chance of making it to the summit.
  3. After forgetting his lines, he had Buckley's chance of landing the lead role in the play.
  4. The old car had Buckley's chance of passing its next emissions test.
  5. Being lost in the maze, they had Buckley's chance of finding their way out before dark.
  6. With no experience in cooking, he had Buckley's chance of impressing his dinner guests.
  7. As a rookie in the league, they had Buckley's chance of winning the championship.
  8. Having overslept, she had Buckley's chance of arriving on time for the meeting.
  9. With a broken leg, he had Buckley's chance of winning the marathon.
  10. Despite his efforts, he had Buckley's chance of passing the exam without studying.


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  • Updated 17/06/2024 - 13:57:34