chance

chance (doing) (something)

1. To knowingly risk having something bad happen (as a result of something else). There's no way I would chance losing my job just to earn a little cash on the side. I told him he shouldn't skip school, but he said he was willing to chance suspension in order to see his favorite band play live.
2. To pursue some risky action or outcome. I wouldn't chance drinking that milk if I were you—it's expired! I knew I didn't have much time before my train arrived, but I decided to chance a quick drink at the bar anyway.
See also: chance
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

chance something

to risk doing something; to try doing something while being aware of the risk involved. I don't usually ride horses, but this time I will chance it. Bob didn't have a ticket, but he went to the airport anyway, chancing a cancellation.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See:
  • a chance in a million
  • a fighting chance
  • a one in a million chance
  • a one-in-a-million chance
  • a snowball's chance in hell
  • a sporting chance
  • an eye for the main chance
  • an eye on/for/to the main chance
  • as chance/luck would have it
  • as much chance as a wax cat in hell
  • at the last chance saloon
  • be in with a chance
  • blow (one's) chance
  • Buckley's chance
  • by any chance
  • by chance
  • chance
  • chance (doing) (something)
  • chance (one's) arm
  • chance favors the prepared mind
  • chance it
  • chance of a lifetime
  • chance on
  • chance on (someone or something)
  • chance upon (someone or something)
  • chance would be a fine thing
  • chance your arm
  • chances are
  • dog's chance
  • eye for/to the main chance, to have an
  • eye to the main chance, have an
  • fancy (one's) chances
  • fancy chances
  • fancy your chances
  • fancy your/somebody's chances
  • fat chance
  • fifty-fifty chance
  • fighting chance
  • fighting chance, a
  • ghost of a chance
  • give (one) half a chance
  • give (someone or something) a chance
  • give (someone) a second chance
  • give (someone) another chance
  • Give me a chance!
  • give somebody half a chance
  • given half a/the chance
  • half a chance
  • have a dog's chance
  • have a fighting chance
  • have an even chance
  • have an even chance of (doing something)
  • have an eye for the main chance
  • have an eye on/for/to the main chance
  • have an eye to/for the main chance
  • have Buckley's (chance)
  • have no chance in hell
  • in the last chance saloon
  • in with a chance
  • jump at
  • jump at the chance (to do something)
  • jump at the chance, to
  • last call
  • last chance (for/at/to do something)
  • leap at the chance (to do something)
  • leap at the opportunity
  • leave (something) to chance
  • leave to chance
  • let slip by
  • let the chance slip by
  • let through
  • never give a sucker an even chance
  • no chance
  • not a cat in hell's chance
  • not a chance
  • Not a chance!
  • not a dog's chance
  • not a ghost of a chance
  • not have a (snowball's) chance in hell
  • not have a cat in hell's chance
  • not have a chance in hell (of doing something)
  • not have a ghost of a chance
  • not have a snowball's chance in hell
  • not have a snowball's chance in hell and not a hope in hell
  • not have a/the ghost of a chance
  • not have an earthly chance
  • not have the ghost of a chance
  • not stand an earthly chance
  • of a lifetime
  • off chance
  • on the (off) chance
  • on the chance
  • on the chance that
  • on the off chance
  • on the off chance (that) (something happens)
  • on the off chance of (something)
  • on the off-chance
  • on the outside chance
  • once-in-a-lifetime chance
  • one chance in a million
  • outside chance
  • risk of rain
  • slim chance
  • snowball’s chance in hell
  • snowball's chance in hell, a
  • snowball's chance in hell, no more than/not a
  • sporting chance
  • sporting chance, a
  • stand a chance
  • take (one's) chances
  • take a chance
  • take a chance on
  • take a chance on (someone or something)
  • take chances
  • take one's chances
  • take the chance (to do something)
  • take your chances
  • the chance, etc. of a lifetime
  • the last chance saloon
  • Tinker to Evers to Chance
  • when you get a chance
  • You pays your money and you takes your chance
  • you pays your money, and you takes your chance(s)
References in classic literature
And it must appear an astonishing conjunction of genius with a whole series of extraordinary chances that this ram, who instead of getting into the general fold every evening goes into a special enclosure where there are oats- that this very ram, swelling with fat, is killed for meat.
War and Peace
Thoughts of the hideous pack which tenanted the ship induced cold tremors along the spine of the cowardly prowler; but life itself depended upon the success of his venture, and so he was enabled to steel himself to the frightful chances which lay before him.
The Beasts of Tarzan
Throughout a great and open area, not only will there be a better chance of favourable variations arising from the large number of individuals of the same species there supported, but the conditions of life are infinitely complex from the large number of already existing species; and if some of these many species become modified and improved, others will have to be improved in a corresponding degree or they will be exterminated.
We can, also, see that any form represented by few individuals will, during fluctuations in the seasons or in the number of its enemies, run a good chance of utter extinction.
The Origin of Species
Franklin's chance look, to my mind, a worse chance than ever.
The Moonstone
Convinced that it would take a long time to overhaul the raider, and that the chances of engagement made the outcome extremely questionable, Mourak, none too unwillingly, abandoned his plan and gave the necessary orders for his command to pitch camp where they were, preparatory to taking up the return march toward Abyssinia the following morning.
Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar
"We have fifty chances out of a hundred of getting over," said one.
"Eighty chances!" replied the passenger, turning his back on him.
Around The World In Eighty Days
I know that her fortune is gone--I know that the last chance of restoring her to her place in the world lies at the mercy of her worst enemy, of a man who is now absolutely unassailable, and who may remain unassailable to the end.
The Woman in White
Then, too, Elzbieta had heard something about a chance to scrub floors in Durham's offices and was waiting every day for word.
Once he got a chance to load a truck for half a day, and again he carried an old woman's valise and was given a quarter.
Jungle
A couple of days later Major Sholto was strolling on the beach: so I took the chance of speaking to him.
When I found that he was devoted to me and would do anything to serve me, I saw my chance of escape.
Sign of the Four
After leaving Magdalen, Frank had waited in the shrubbery, at a safe distance, on the chance that she might detach herself from her sister's company, and join him again.
No Name
Measurement owes its existence to Earth; Estimation of quantity to Measurement; Calculation to Estimation of quantity; Balancing of chances to Calculation; and Victory to Balancing of chances.
Art of War