take a chance
idiom
: to do something that could have either good or bad results
She's trying to find a publisher who will take a chance on her book.
It might not work, but it's a chance we'll have to take.
Examples of take a chance in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That's because the United States is a pickup and SUV nation with few people willing to take a chance driving something so small.
—
Jamie L. Lareau, Freep.com, 5 Dec. 2025
The film follows two best friends from South Central, down on their luck and desperate for more, who take a chance encounter as an invitation to trade their dead-end lives in Los Angeles for something new.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 27 Nov. 2025
Philadelphia could take a chance on Phillips with the hope that the veteran reliever returns to the field in time for a potential playoff run.
—Shaun McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
The Royals will take a chance on his development.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take a chance
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jamie L. Lareau, Freep.com, 5 Dec. 2025
The film follows two best friends from South Central, down on their luck and desperate for more, who take a chance encounter as an invitation to trade their dead-end lives in Los Angeles for something new.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 27 Nov. 2025
Philadelphia could take a chance on Phillips with the hope that the veteran reliever returns to the field in time for a potential playoff run.
—Shaun McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
The Royals will take a chance on his development.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take a chance
Cite this Entry
“Take a chance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20a%20chance. Accessed 19 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share