glimmer

glimmer of hope

A minute indication that something may improve, succeed, or turn out for the best in the end. Fans clung to a glimmer of hope that their team might score a last-minute touchdown to tie the game. Although peace talks have broken down between the two warring countries, there remains a glimmer of hope that a truce of some kind can still be salvaged.
See also: glimmer, hope, of

not a glimmer (of something)

Not even the smallest amount (of something). The group of financial analysts said there is not a glimmer of hope that the economy will improve at any point this year. The team needed to come out with intensity if they wanted to stand a chance, but unfortunately they showed not a glimmer during that dreadful display. There wasn't a glimmer of remorse in his voice as he pleaded guilty to the horrible crimes.
See also: glimmer, not
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

not a glimmer (of an idea)

 and not a clue
Fig. no idea. A: Where's the subway? B: Sorry. Not a glimmer of an idea. How long till we're there? Not a clue.
See also: glimmer, not
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • glimmer of hope
  • ray of hope
  • the one/a ray of hope
  • one ray of hope
  • cling to
  • cling to (someone or something)
  • not a glimmer
  • not a glimmer (of something)
  • drop a hint
  • hint
References in periodicals archive
Glimmer offers three tiers of adult cleaning - with a service in lingerie or underwear starting at [pounds sterling]55 per hour, topless cleaning costing [pounds sterling]65 an hour and totally naked cleaning at [pounds sterling]75 for the hour.
Naked cleaner ditches beautician's job to scrub homes in the buff - and has 15 staff; Victoria Murphy, from Edinburgh, charges between [pounds sterling]55 and [pounds sterling]75 an hour "depending on the level of nudity"
The "Mid-night Glimmer" is a customized color developed by the color design experts from BASF's Coatings Division in collaboration with the design team at PATAC.
BASF's mid-night glimmer coating drapes new Chevrolet concept car
STILL HOPE McGregor's goal has given Rangers a glimmer of hope
Darren difficult but if Gers strike first it's game on again for Stu; PREMIERSHIP PLAY.OFF
While the talk of a ceasefire is still very tentative, it is the first positive sign to emerge from Syria in months that some relief may be on the way and there is at least a glimmer of hope that humanitarian relief can be delivered to Aleppo.
Ceasefire plan for Aleppo offers a glimmer of hope
Buyer: Uvenco Holding Ltd, Uvenco UK Ltd, Blair Jenkins, Glimmer Europe Ltd
Uvenco UK says still considering viability of a potential deal for SnackTime
One application lasts all day and the tiny glimmer particles raise protection by deflecting the sun's rays as well as giving skin a gorgeous glow.
Beat the burn! Whatever your skin's needs are in the sun, there's something for everyone. These winners go beyond the call of duty
ONE of the major problems the average football fan has is the propensity for clutching at straws; that slightest glimmer of hope.
Money to burn on CCFC folly; letters@coventrytelegraph.net Letters
JOBLESS figures are falling in the West Midlands - offering a festive 'glimmer of hope' for the local economy.
Festive job upturn
VISA figures showing a growth in customer spending offered a "glimmer of hope" for the economy, a report found yesterday.
VISA SPENDING GROWTH FIGURE OF 0.4% OFFER A 'GLIMMER OF HOPE' AMID CURRENT OUTLOOK OF ECONOMIC GLOOM
Today's best bets in Ireland Night Glimmer can star for Roberts REASONS UNKNOWN deserves another chance in Dundalk's finale today (6.10).
Pull of 13lb is reason to back Unknown
Summary: Campaigners for computer hacker Gary McKinnon have been given a glimmer of hope in their fight against his extradition.
Hope for computer hacker in extradition battle
GLIMMER: HOW DESIGN CAN TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE, AND MAYBE EVEN THE WORLD offers insights into how great modern designers design new product lines from iPhones to social network systems, considering how the art of professional design can teach everyone how to achieve a breakthrough just by learning how designers think.
Glimmer
Hariri's mission was a "glimmer of hope" for the country, he said.
Lebanon-politics
The news that retail sales for March had dropped 1.1 per cent came just before Barack Obama, the US president, said on Tuesday that he saw a glimmer of hope for the economy but warned that the recession was not yet over.
Sales down as Obama speaks of hope
GRIMSBY chairman John Fenty has revealed there is "a glimmer of a chance" that striker Robbie Fowler will join the Coca-Cola League Two club.
IN BRIEF: Grimsby eye up forward Fowler