/tʃɑ:ns; US tʃæns ||; tʃæns/noun1 [C] a chance of (doing) sth;a chance (that...) a possibility 可能性: I think there's a good chance that she'll be the next Prime Minister. 我认为她很有可能是下届首相。to have a slim/an outside chance of success 成功的可能性极小／极渺茫I think we stand a good chanceof winning the competition. 我认为我们很有可能赢得这项比赛。Is there any chance of getting tickets for tonight's concert? 有没有希望弄到今晚音乐会的票？
2 [C] chance (of doing sth/to do sth) an opportunity 机会: If somebody invited me to America, I'd jump at the chance (= accept enthusiastically). 如果有人邀请我去美国，我马上会抓住这个机会。Be quiet and give her a chanceto explain. 安静点，给她一个解释的机会。I think you should tell him now. You may not get another chance. 我想你现在就应该跟他说，要不就没机会啦。 ☞Look at the note at occasion. 参看occasion的注释。
3 [C] a risk 风险: We may lose some money but we'll just have to take that chance. 也许我们会亏本，但必须冒冒那个风险。Fasten your seat-belt -- you shouldn't take (any) chances. 系上安全带─你不要冒险。I didn't want to take a chance on anyone seeing me, so I closed the curtains. 我不想冒险让任何人看见我，因此我拉上窗帘。
4 [U] luck; the way that some things happen without any cause that you can see or understand 机缘；运气: We have to plan every detail -- I don't want to leave anything to chance. 每个细节我们都得计划好─我不想抱任何侥幸心理。We met by chance (= we had not planned to meet) as I was walking down the street. 我是在路上偶然碰见他的。
by any chance (used for asking sth politely) perhaps or possibly （用于客气询问）可能，也许:
Are you, by any chance, going into town this afternoon? 今天下午你会到镇上去吗？ the chances are (that)...(
informal 非正式) it is probable that... 很可能:
The chances are that it will rain tomorrow. 明天很可能下雨。 no chance(
informal 非正式) there is no possibility of that happening 不可能:
‘Perhaps your mother will give you the money.’ ‘No chance!’ “也许你妈妈会给你那笔钱。”“不可能！” on the off chance in the hope that sth might happen, although it is not very likely 碰碰运气:
I didn't think you'd be at home, but I just called in on the off chance. 我想你多半不在家，可我还是登门拜访，碰碰运气。