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Fat chance

Idiomatic Phrase
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A sardonic expression indicating extremely low likelihood or no chance at all; in ironic or satirical poetry, it underscores the absurdity of hope or the disparity between expectation and outcome.

Detailed Definition
Fat chance means very little chance, often with irony or sarcasm. In poetry, the idiom can puncture hope, expose scepticism, or reveal a speaker’s bitterness towards promises that seem unlikely to be fulfilled. It suits comic, satirical, or disappointed voices, especially when dreams meet worldly realism. A poet may use it to show class frustration, romantic doubt, political cynicism, or self-protective humour. Its force lies in saying “chance” while implying almost none, making hope sound already defeated.
Example
Example in poetry:
Skepticism: "Fat chance of peace when old hatreds still burn bright."; Doubtful: "Fat chance you'll change without true inner work, said the mirror."; Student use: "Adds irony in satirical poetry."; "Winning without effort? Fat chance."
Additional Notes
Skeptical dismissal, adds irony in satirical doubt-expressing works. Tip: Temper optimism. Expresses low probability. Use for cynical or humorous tone. Contrasts with hope. Enhances wit. Study Restoration comedy influences. Effective for undercutting pretension.
Also Known As
Not a chance Slim chance No chance Fat hope
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