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3. hope against hope

hope against hope

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hope against (all) hope

to have hope even when the situation appears to be hopeless. We hope against all hope that she'll see the right thing to do and do it. There is little point in hoping against hope, except that it makes you feel better.

See also: hope

hope against hope

to hope very strongly that something will happen, although you know it is not very likely (usually in continuous tenses; usually + that ) We were just hoping against hope that she would be rescued.

See have a chance in hell, live in hope

See also: hope

hope against hope

Hope or wish for with little reason or justification, as in I'm hoping against hope that someone will return my wallet. This expression, based on the biblical "Who against hope believed in hope" (Romans 4:18), was first recorded in 1813.

See also: hope

hope against hope

To hope with little reason or justification.

See also: hope