Buckley's chance

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Meaning

Little or no chance of success. Informal. Buckley's can stand alone as a short answer meaning no chance. Regional use: Australia; also known in New Zealand.

Origin

The Australian National Dictionary Centre records Buckley's chance from 1887. It may allude to escaped convict William Buckley, whose improbable survival became famous, but the link cannot be proved. The longer Buckley's and none or Buckley's and Nunn forms exploit a later pun on the Melbourne department store Buckley & Nunn and should not be treated as the original explanation.

Variants

  • Buckley's
  • Buckley's and none
  • Buckley's and Nunn
  • Buckley's hope

Usage Examples

  • We have Buckley's chance of finishing before dark without another pair of hands.
  • The little club was given Buckley's against the reigning champions.

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