take a chance

verb

take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome (Freq. 6)

-

When you buy these stocks you are gambling

• Syn:

↑gamble, ↑chance, ↑risk, ↑hazard, ↑take chances, ↑adventure, ↑run a risk

• Derivationally related forms:

↑adventure (for: ↑adventure), ↑adventurer (for: ↑adventure), ↑hazard (for: ↑hazard), ↑risk (for: ↑risk), ↑chance (for: ↑chance), ↑gamble (for: ↑gamble), ↑gambler (for: ↑gamble)

• Hypernyms: ↑try, ↑seek, ↑attempt, ↑essay, ↑assay

• Hyponyms: ↑go for broke, ↑luck it, ↑luck through

• Verb Frames:

-

Somebody ——s that CLAUSE

-

Somebody ——s

(for: ↑run a risk)

-

Somebody ——s PP

(for: ↑run a risk)

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phrasal or take one's chances

: to leave an outcome entirely to chance : trust one's fortunes in a particular venture to mere chance

take a chance on the weather remaining fair

Pilgrims … preferred to take their chances with the Indians — Leslie Thomas

* * *

take a chance take chances (on) phrase

to do something even though it involves risk

Lorraine didn’t know me but she took a chance on my honesty.

It is just not worth taking any chances.

Thesaurus: to take risks_synonym

Main entry: chance

* * *

take a chance (or chances)

behave in a way that leaves one vulnerable to danger or failure

■ take a chance on put one's trust in (something or someone) knowing that it may not be safe or certain

* * *

take a chance

: to do something that could have either good or bad results

She's trying to find a publisher who will take a chance on her book. [=will publish her book without knowing for certain that it will succeed]

It might not work, but it's a chance we'll have to take.

I'm not willing to take that chance.

He said he couldn't afford to take any chances.

He's not afraid to take chances. [=to do things that are risky or dangerous]

She was taking no chances. = She wasn't taking any chances.

“You might not succeed.” “I know, but I'll take my chances anyway.”

• • •

Main Entry: ↑chance