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3. prayer

prayer

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not a hope in hell

Absolutely no possibility of succeeding, coming to pass, or achieving something. There's not a hope in hell that you'll find me living in this town after I graduate.

See also: hell, hope, not

in someone's prayers

[of someone] remembered and called by name when someone prays. I am sorry to hear of your sickness. You will be in our prayers. The whole family is in my prayers because they have suffered so much.

See also: prayer

*on a wing and a prayer

Fig. to arrive or fly in with one's plane in very bad condition. (Sometimes used fig. of other vehicles. *Typically: come (in) ~; arrive ~.) Finally we could see the plane through the smoke, coming in on a wing and a prayer.

See also: and, on, prayer, wing

the answer to your prayers

exactly what is needed or wanted These new artificial hearts are amazing, but are they the answer to our prayers?

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form the answer to something's prayers: Each new technology has been introduced as the answer to education's prayers.

See also: answer, prayer

not have a prayer

to have no chance With an injured ankle, he doesn't have a prayer of winning the race.

Usage notes: sometimes used without not: Do we have a prayer of convincing him to go?

See also: have, not, prayer

the answer to somebody's prayers

someone or something that someone has needed very much for a long time A new supermarket delivery service was the answer to my prayers.

See have a lot to answer for

See also: answer, prayer

not have a prayer

to be not at all likely to succeed (often + of ) She hasn't a prayer of winning the competition.

See also: have, prayer

on a wing and a prayer

if you do something on a wing and a prayer, you do it hoping that you will succeed although you are not prepared enough for it With scarcely any funding and a staff of six, they operate on a wing and a prayer.

See also: and, on, prayer, wing

not a hope in hell

Also, not a prayer. No chance at all, as in There's not a hope in hell that we have a winning bid, or If you don't watch the conductor you won't have a prayer of coming in on time. The first term was first recorded in 1923, the second in 1941. Both allude to the chance for heavenly salvation. Also see snowball's chance in hell.

See also: hell, hope, not

prayer, not a

see under not a hope in hell.

See also: not