a snowball’s chance in hell

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a snowball’s chance in hell (idiom)
/ə ˈsnoʊˌbɔlz ˈtʃæns ɪn hɛl/

Meaning

• An extremely unlikely or impossible prospect.
• A situation with virtually no possibility of success.
• An outcome that is nearly impossible to achieve.

Example Sentences

1. He doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of finishing the marathon without training.
2. They knew their proposal had a snowball’s chance in hell of being approved by the committee.
3. She has a snowball’s chance in hell of getting the job without the required experience.
4. The underdog team has a snowball’s chance in hell of winning against the champions.
5. He realized he had a snowball’s chance in hell of convincing her to change her mind.

Origin and History

The idiom “a snowball’s chance in hell” vividly conveys the improbability of an event, suggesting that something is as likely as a snowball surviving in the fiery depths of hell. This colorful expression has been a part of the English language for well over a century, capturing the imagination with its stark imagery.

Earliest Recorded Usage

The phrase first appeared in print in the early 1880s. One of the earliest instances is from the Detroit Free Press on April 9, 1880, which reported:

“Mr. George C. Gorham, ex-Secretary of the Senate, who not long since remarked, with a good deal of vigor, that under the Hayes administration a Republican in the South had about ‘as much chance as a snowball in hell,’ now supports Grant.”

This citation indicates that the expression was already in colloquial use by that time.

Possible Origins and Theories

The phrase likely emerged from the juxtaposition of a snowball—a symbol of cold and fragility—with hell, traditionally depicted as a realm of intense heat. The combination effectively illustrates an impossible or highly unlikely scenario. While the exact origin remains uncertain, its early appearances in American newspapers suggest it may have originated in the United States during the late 19th century.

Cultural and Linguistic Context

The idiom belongs to a family of expressions that convey improbability through vivid imagery. Similar phrases include “a cat in hell’s chance,” which also denotes a slim likelihood of success. These expressions rely on the listener’s understanding of the inherent contradictions they present, enhancing their rhetorical impact.

Evolution and Variants

Over time, the phrase has seen slight variations, such as “a snowball’s chance” or “not a snowball’s chance.” These truncated forms maintain the original meaning and are used interchangeably in contemporary language. The idiom has also been referenced in literature and popular culture, further cementing its place in the English lexicon.

Synonyms

1. a fat chance
2. not a hope in hell
3. slim to none
4. no chance
5. not a snowball’s chance

Variants

• not a snowball’s chance
• snowball’s chance

Important