chance'd be a fine thing

English

Alternative forms

• chance is a fine thing, chance's a fine thing
• chance would be a fine thing

Etymology

An ellipsis of even having a chance [to do so / at that] would be a fine thing and similar ideas, in reference to something that is either completely impossible or currently forbidden by circumstances, higher authorities, etc., originally chiefly with regard to opportunities to have sex or get married.

Pronunciation

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Phrase

chance'd be a fine thing

1. (British, idiomatic) Synonym of no chance or fat chance with a somewhat more cheerful attitude.
   • 1912, Stanley Houghton, Hindle Wakes‎^[1], act I, scene i:

     Mrs Hawthon: Why didn't you get wed if you were so curious? There's plenty would have had you.
     Fanny: Chance is a fine thing. Happen I wouldn't have had them!
     Mrs Hawthorn: Happen you'll be sorry for it before long. There's not so many will have you now, if this gets about.

   • 2009 September 18, Jesse Armstrong & al., Peep Show, Season 6, Episode 1:

     Come on. You're management, Corrigan. Get it sorted.
     Right. Chance would be a fine thing. [VO] That's a thing people say, isn't it...
     Mark, can't you reset it?
     Chance would be a fine thing, Lisa.
     I know what you should do. Coffee run. Corrigan, 200 lattes.
     Good, good one Jeff. Chance would be a fine thing, a fine thing indeed. [VO] Hmm. Saying that too often now.

   • 2012 September 23, Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey, Season 3, Episode 2:

     Dr Clarkson: Sit down and put your feet up if you can.
     Mrs Patmore: Oh, chance'd be a fine thing.

   Me winning the lotto? Chance'd be a fine thing.

Synonyms

• one should be so lucky, one should live so long

References

• Allen, Robert. "chance", Allen's Dictionary of English Phrases, Penguin, 2006.
• Partridge, Eric, "chance(s)", A Dictionary of Catch Phrases, 4th ed., Routledge, 2005, p. 359.
• “chance would be a fine thing”, in Cambridge English Dictionary, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: Cambridge University Press, 1999–present.
• “chance would be a fine thing”, in Collins English Dictionary.
• “chance would be a fine thing”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.