ray of hope

ray of hope

A minute indication that something may improve, succeed, or turn out for the best in the end. Fans clung to a ray 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 ray of hope that a truce of some kind can still be salvaged.
See also: hope, of, ray
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the one/a ray of ˈhope

the one small sign of improvement in a difficult situation: They’ve actually stopped fighting, so perhaps there’s a ray of hope after all. Our one ray of hope is the bank. They might agree to lend us the money we need.
See also: hope, of, one, ray
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • glimmer
  • glimmer of hope
  • one ray of hope
  • the one/a ray of hope
  • cling to
  • cling to (someone or something)
  • drop a hint
  • hint
  • smack of
  • smack of (something)
References in classic literature
He seemed extremely unhappy; but when she took his arm and walked away with him, seeking a retired corner, a ray of hope mingled with the almost comical misery of his expression.
Awakening and Selected Short Stories
Do you suppose I could, by and by?" he asked, with a sudden ray of hope.
Eight Cousins
Each man sought his neighbor's eye, but found in it no ray of hope, no encouragement.
The Innocents Abroad
And while I suffer thus, there comes no ray Of hope to gladden me athwart the gloom; Nor do I look for it in my despair; But rather clinging to a cureless woe, All hope do I abjure for evermore.
Don Quixote
"My brother," said she as she placed his knapsack on his shoulders, "be careful of yourself, for if you are killed, I shall be alone in the world." These words carried a ray of hope into Fernand's heart.
Count of Monte Cristo
The suggestion sent a ray of hope in all their breasts, but I would have nothing to do with it.
Moon and Sixpence
But presently in the very hatred of the man for Belgians, Werper saw a faint ray of hope for himself.
Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar
All at once, a last ray of hope presented itself to his mind: the seedling bulbs might be in the dry-room; it was therefore only requisite to make his entry there as he had done into the garden.
The Black Tulip
You give me some ray of hope? I do not ask pledge or promise.
The White Company
The gray eyes that had so often looked up at her with entreating worship, looked up at her now, with a last struggling ray of hope in them, and Maggie met them with her large sincere gaze.
The Mill on the Floss
Animated with a ray of hope, the child shot on before her grandfather, and, going close to the stranger without rousing him by the sound of her footsteps, began, in a few faint words, to implore his help.
The Old Curiosity Shop
At the moment when he was about to retire, she was cheered with a ray of hope, for she thought he was about to speak; but his lips moved without any sound leaving his mouth, and making a powerful effort to control himself, he sent back to his heart the words that were about to escape from his lips, and went out.
Three Musketeers
how heavy was the midnight of woe which shrouded in blackness the last ray of hope, and filled the future with terror and gloom!
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass An American Slave
I stood straight up against the wall, my heart still going like a sledge- hammer, but with a ray of hope now shining in my bosom.
Treasure Island
That I should ever win the opposite slopes of the range I began to doubt, for though I am naturally sanguine, I imagine that the bereavement which had befallen me had cast such a gloom over my spirits that I could see no slightest ray of hope for the future.
Pellucidar