A ghost of a chance

Meaning

Almost no chance of success.

Usage

Used when really unlikely success is still theoretically possible.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Ghost imagery used to emphasize something insubstantial.

Common in 19th-century ghost stories.