fat chance

fat chance

Said of something that is unlikely to happen. A: "Maybe the teacher will let us out of class early today." B: "Ha! Fat chance."
See also: chance, fat
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

fat chance

Fig. very little likelihood. Fat chance he has of getting a promotion. You think she'll lend you the money? Fat chance!
See also: chance, fat
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

fat chance

Very little or no possibility, as in A fact chance he has of coming in first, or You think they'll get married? Fat chance! A related expression is a fat lot, meaning "very little or none at all," as in A fat lot of good it will do her. The first of these slangy sarcastic usages dates from the early 1900s, the second from the 1890s.
See also: chance, fat
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

fat chance

INFORMAL
COMMON People say fat chance to show that they do not think that something will happen. There's fat chance the course of true love will run smoothly. He wants to be a basketball star, but at 5' 6'' there's fat chance of that happening.
See also: chance, fat
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

(a) ˈfat chance (of something/doing something)

(spoken) used when you think that there is no possibility of something happening: He said he’d give me a job if I passed my exam with a grade A. A fat chance I have of that! ‘Do you think she’ll lend me the money?’ ‘Fat chance.’
See also: chance, fat
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

fat chance

n. a very poor chance. (Sarcastic.) Fat chance I’ll ever get a new car.
See also: chance, fat
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

fat chance

Slang
Very little or no chance.
See also: chance, fat
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

fat chance

Practically no chance at all. Although fat in this context means “good,” the term is always used ironically to mean hardly any opportunity. A slangy Americanism of the twentieth century, it was used by P. G. Wodehouse in Laughing Gas: “A fat chance, of course. I should have known his psychology better.” For synonyms, see Chinaman’s chance; snowball’s chance.
See also: chance, fat
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • dog's chance
  • on the (off) chance
  • on the chance
  • one chance in a million
  • lose out
  • lose out on (something)
  • lose out on
  • miss out
  • miss out on
  • miss out on (something)
References in periodicals archive
I am not sure if his suggestion to remove the RCA from the BHB board can be achieved under the current BHB constitution, or if it would require the RCA's co-operation - fat chance - but it is a damn good idea.
Mark Johnston: Bouquet of the week
I suggest DJ s who have worked 15 years past their sell-by date should also donate something - but there's a fat chance of that.
Not so Young; YOUR LETTERS
Fat chance. The best way to speed up service in Greggs is to ban staff from using the phrase, "It's not very warm, love."
GREGGS' SAUCE BAN IS SO CHEESY; RESULT! with sports betting's top tipster DEREK MCGOVERN
Fat chance. Is the man really thick enough to think he'll be allowed within a Nazi salute of any royal?
Bonkers Nazi at royal Party
Rail passengers, some of whom already have a fat chance of getting a seat, are to be weighed in an effort to deal with overcrowding.
Weighed on way to work
In true metal god style, he stood before his adoring public and offered a humble apology before adding: "Thanks for not forgetting about us.'' Fat chance!
REVIEWS: Bullet gig is bang on target; BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE Carling Academy, Birmingham
I AGREE with Lorne Jackson's comments on Kenneth Clarke's "fat chance" of becoming Tory leader.
Letter: Bad example
And how can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?
English to drive you mad
FAT CHANCE: Copper, the 77lb cocker-spaniel with fitness guru Rosemary Conley
It's a dog's life being overweight!
"Fat chance," which I think is just an interesting saying, refers to a response for an invitation to be involved in an exhibition.
A thousand words: Bruce Nauman talks about mapping the studio
It repeated what its owner said when she saw the robbers Fat chance BURLY Brian F.
Strange but True: Bird squawks
Deacon Blue's Lauraine Macintosh is amongst those providing harmonies on an album that has more than a fat chance of being a hit.
Living - Play: PAUL HEATON Fat Chance (Mercury)
PAUL HEATON (left), the chief inspiration behind the huge success of The Housemartins and The Beautiful South, makes his bid for solo recognition with Fat Chance, the album that was given a low-key airing last year but is now receiving a full-scale release.
GO! ROCK: South star goes solo
FAT CHANCE: Brian gets ready to lose his hair in the sponsored head shave.
Brian's diet goes belly up