What does "chancing it" mean?
What it means: To take a risk knowing that things might go wrong - hoping for the best without a guarantee."It might rain, but we're chancing it without an umbrella.""He chanced it and drove on nearly empty - and made it.""I didn't book a table - I'm just chancing it."What it implies: A deliberat...
What it means
To take a risk knowing that things might go wrong - hoping for the best without a guarantee.
"It might rain, but we're chancing it without an umbrella."
"He chanced it and drove on nearly empty - and made it."
"I didn't book a table - I'm just chancing it."
What it implies
A deliberate gamble. You're aware of the risk, but you're choosing to proceed anyway. There's often an element of optimism, or simply not wanting the hassle of the safe option.
Chance your arm - slightly bolder; to try something despite a real possibility of failure or disapproval:
"He chanced his arm and asked for a pay rise."
Take a chance / take chances
More standard versions:
"I took a chance and applied."
A native would say
- "Risk it" - direct
- "Take the risk" - slightly more deliberate
- "Roll the dice" - accepting an uncertain outcome
- "Wing it" - improvise without preparation
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British informal. Chancing it is conversational and often said with a slightly reckless cheerfulness.
What does "chancing it" mean?
To take a risk knowing that things might go wrong - hoping for the best without a guarantee.
"It might rain, but we're chancing it without an umbrella."
"He chanced it and drove on nearly empty - and made it."
"I didn't book a table - I'm just chancing it."
Is "chancing it" formal or informal?
British informal. Chancing it is conversational and often said with a slightly reckless cheerfulness.
What's another way to say "chancing it"?
- "Risk it" - direct
- "Take the risk" - slightly more deliberate
- "Roll the dice" - accepting an uncertain outcome
- "Wing it" - improvise without preparation
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