/tʃɑ:ns; US tʃæns ||; tʃæns/noun by any chance (used for asking sth politely) perhaps or possibly （用于客气询问）可能，也许: Are you, by any chance, going into town this afternoon? 今天下午你会到镇上去吗？ the chances are (that)...(informal 非正式) it is probable that... 很可能: The chances are that it will rain tomorrow. 明天很可能下雨。 no chance(informal 非正式) there is no possibility of that happening 不可能: ‘Perhaps your mother will give you the money.’ ‘No chance!’ “也许你妈妈会给你那笔钱。”“不可能！” on the off chance in the hope that sth might happen, although it is not very likely 碰碰运气: I didn't think you'd be at home, but I just called in on the off chance. 我想你多半不在家，可我还是登门拜访，碰碰运气。