on the off chance

Related to on the off chance: not in the least, pay a visit, raring to go, give rise to, along the line

on the (off) chance

In the unlikely event. On the off chance that you get home before me, can you put the roast in the oven?
See also: chance, on

on the off chance

In the very slight, remote, or unlikely possibility (that something may happen or be the case). Usually followed by "of" or "that." You'll probably need to replace your washing machine, but on the off chance that I can fix it, let me open it up and take a look. I know it's supposed to stay dry tonight, but on the off chance of rain, please put the kids' bikes back in the shed anyway.
See also: chance, off, on

on the off chance (that) (something happens)

In the unlikely event that something happens or is the case. I don't think Jack would go on a date with me, but on the off chance that he says yes, I'm going to ask him anyway! I know it's supposed to stay dry tonight, but on the off chance it rains, please put the kids' bikes back in the shed so they don't get rusty.
See also: chance, off, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

on the off chance

because of a slight possibility that something may happen or might be the case; just in case. I went to the theater on the off chance that there were tickets for the show left. We didn't think we would get into the football game, but we went on the off chance.
See also: chance, off, on
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

on the off chance

see under on the chance that.
See also: chance, off, on
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

on the off-chance

mainly BRITISH
COMMON If you do something on the off-chance, you do it because there is a small chance that a good thing will happen even though you do not really expect it to. She had turned up on the off-chance of catching a glimpse of the princess. I just thought I'd call on the off-chance. Note: You can also say that there is an off-chance that something good will happen, if there is a small chance that it will happen. An additional reason for her attendance was the off-chance that she might find Darren there.
See also: on
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

on the off chance

just in case.
1992 Neal Stephenson Snow Crash They upload staggering quantities of useless information to the database, on the off chance that some of it will eventually be useful.
See also: chance, off, on
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

on the ˈoff chance

(informal) hoping that something will happen, even if it is unlikely: I called at their house on the off chance that they’d let me stay, but they weren’t at home.
See also: chance, off, on
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

on the off chance

In the slight hope or possibility.
See also: chance, off, on
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • on the (off) chance
  • on the chance
  • one chance in a million
  • a chance in a million
  • lose out
  • lose out on (something)
  • lose out on
  • miss out
  • miss out on
  • miss out on (something)