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take a chance — to take a risk; to do something despite the possibility of failure or danger

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to take a risk; to do something despite the possibility of failure or danger

Pronunciation (IPA): /teɪk ə tʃæns/

Example Sentences

  • Why don't you take a chance and ask your crush out for coffee?
  • The startup decided to take a chance on the young programmer's innovative idea.
  • I'm going to take a chance and eat this mysterious street food in Bangkok.

take a chance

VERB

[/teɪk ə tʃæns/]

to take a risk; to do something despite the possibility of failure or danger

She decided to take a chance and audition for the lead role.
💡 Concept

She decided to take a chance and audition for the lead role.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/teɪk ə tʃæns/
🇬🇧 UK/teɪk ə tʃɑːns/

🌳Etymology

Origin

Take derives from Old English 'tacan', meaning 'to grasp or seize'. Chance evolved from Latin 'cadentia' (falling), which came to mean 'the falling of dice' and subsequently 'fortune' or 'luck'. The phrase 'take a chance' emerged as a metaphor for entrusting oneself to fortune, as one would to the unpredictable fall of dice.

Breakdown

take (Old English 'tacan': to grasp, seize) + chance (Latin 'cadentia': a falling, especially of dice; fortune). The phrase combines the action of taking with the concept of fortune or risk.

🎵Rhyme

dance
glance
stance
romance

🔗Collocations

take a chance on someone
take your chances
take a big chance
willing to take a chance
take a chance with
never take a chance

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“Why don't you take a chance and ask your crush out for coffee?”

“The startup decided to take a chance on the young programmer's innovative idea.”

😄 Fun example

“I'm going to take a chance and eat this mysterious street food in Bangkok.”

“Sometimes you have to take a chance to achieve your dreams.”

📚Related Words

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