What does 'fat chance' mean? - YouTube
Feifei: Hello and welcome back to
The English We Speak. I'm Feifei.
Rob: And I'm Rob. Have I told you
about the competition
that I've entered, Feifei?
Feifei: No, Rob. What is it?
Rob: It's a singing competition!
You have to perform a popular song
from your favourite band -
and I'm going to win!
Feifei: You? Are going to win?
No offence, Rob, but I've heard your
singing voice, and, well, I'm not sure...
Rob: What are you trying to say, Feifei?
Feifei: All I'm saying is that
there is a fat chance
of you winning the competition!
Rob: Right! So first you make fun
of my singing and now
you're calling me fat! How cheeky!
Feifei: No Rob, no. I'm not calling you
fat - I'm saying that the likelihood of
you winning the competition is very small.
Rob: Oh right, yes. 'Fat chance' is an English
phrase to say something is not very
likely - I remember now.
Feifei: Right, well while you calm down,
let's hear some other
examples of this phrase.
A: I bought a lottery ticket for tonight's
draw - and these are my lucky numbers!
I'm definitely going to win!
B: Fat chance!
A: I hope it's warm this weekend -
I want to go fishing.
B: Well, fat chance of that.
It's the middle of November!
I auditioned for a role in a movie, but there
is fat chance of me getting the role - I saw
loads of famous actors auditioning too.
Feifei: This is The English We Speak
from BBC Learning English and we're
talking about the phrase 'fat chance'.
This is a noun phrase that means
a small chance, or possibility,
of something happening.
It can be used in a full sentence,
and also as a standalone phrase.
For example, when Rob said
he was going to win the competition,
I could have just said 'fat chance'!
Rob: Hey! I think I've got
a really good chance!
I've been practising hard and
I've even taken a few lessons!
Feifei: OK, Rob. Well... good luck?
I suppose...
Rob: Well, Feifei, when I win
the £5000 prize money,
there's fat chance of you getting any of it.
Feifei: Wait, £5000? Rob, hold on!
I didn't mean it!
Thanks for joining us - I've got to go and
apologise to Rob. Hopefully he'll
share his winnings! Bye!
