Not have a prayer Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈnɑt/ /ˈhæv/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈpɹeɪɝ/, /ˈpɹɛɹ

NAHT HAV uh PRAYR

UK

nˈɒt/ /hæv/ /æɪ/ /pɹɛə(ɹ)

NOT HAV uh PRAY-uh

Definition

To have absolutely no chance of succeeding or achieving something.

Usage & Nuances

This is an informal idiom, often used to emphasize that success is impossible. Common in spoken English when talking about competitions or difficult situations. Not related to actual prayers or religion.

• Spanish: no tener ninguna posibilidad - no tener ni una oportunidad
• Portuguese (BR): não ter a menor chance - não ter nenhuma chance
• Portuguese (PT): não ter a mínima hipótese - não ter hipótese nenhuma
• Chinese (Simplified): 毫无机会 - 毫无可能
• Chinese (Traditional): 毫無機會 - 毫無可能
• Hindi: कोई संभावना नहीं होना
• Arabic: لا يملك أي فرصة - مستحيل النجاح
• Bengali: কোনো সুযোগ নেই - বিন্দুমাত্র সম্ভাবনা নেই
• Russian: ни малейшего шанса - никаких шансов
• Japanese: まったく望みがない - 可能性がゼロ
• Vietnamese: không có cơ hội nào - không có chút hy vọng nào
• Korean: 가망이 없다 - 전혀 가능성이 없다
• Turkish: hiç şansı yok - zerre ihtimali yok
• Urdu: قطعاً کوئی امید نہیں - بالکل کوئی چانس نہیں
• Indonesian: tidak ada harapan sama sekali - sama sekali tidak mungkin

Example Sentences

We don't have a prayer of winning this game.

basic

Without your help, I don't have a prayer of finishing on time.

basic

If it rains this hard, they don't have a prayer of continuing the match.

basic

Honestly, we don't have a prayer against a team like that.

natural

He applied for the job, but he didn't have a prayer; the position was already filled.

natural

Don’t even bother—she doesn’t have a prayer of making the finals.

natural