hope against hope, to
hope against (all) hope
to have hope even when the situation appears to be hopeless. We hope against all hope that she'll see the right thing to do and do it. There is little point in hoping against hope, except that it makes you feel better.
See also: hope
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
hope against hope
Hope or wish for with little reason or justification, as in I'm hoping against hope that someone will return my wallet. This expression, based on the biblical "Who against hope believed in hope" (Romans 4:18), was first recorded in 1813.
See also: hope
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
hope against hope
cling to a mere possibility. 1995 Bill Bryson Notes from a Small Island I plodded on, hoping against hope that there would be a pub or cafe in Kimmeridge.
See also: hope
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
ˌhope against ˈhope (that...)
continue to hope for something, even if this seems useless or foolish: It was a couple of days since the earthquake, but the family were still hoping against hope that their son was safe.See also: hope
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
hope against hope
To hope with little reason or justification.
See also: hope
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
hope against hope, to
To keep wishing for something even though the odds are against its coming about. This term can be found in the Bible, in Paul’s Epistle to the Romans (4:18): “Who against hope believed in hope, that he [Abraham] might become the father of many nations.” It has been a cliché since the late nineteenth century. See also hope springs eternal.
See also: hope
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- not a hope
- live in hope
- live in hope of
- live in hope of (something)
- live in hope(s)
- hope springs eternal
- if it were not for hope, the heart would break
- third time lucky
- third time's a charm
- (I) hope to see you again (soon/sometime)