Snowball's chance in hell Meaning in English

expression

US

SNOH-bawlz CHANS in HEL

UK

SNOW-bawlz ch-AHNSS in HELL

Definition

This expression means that something is extremely unlikely to happen, almost impossible.

Usage & Nuances

Informal, often humorous or emphatic. Used about situations with no real chance. Usually used in the negative ('doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell'). Not literal—don't use for physical snowballs or anything about temperature.

• Spanish: ni una posibilidad - ninguna chance - ni soñando
• Portuguese (BR): nenhuma chance - nem em sonho
• Portuguese (PT): nenhuma hipótese - impossível
• Chinese (Simplified): 毫无可能 - 一点机会都没有
• Chinese (Traditional): 根本不可能 - 完全沒機會
• Hindi: ज़रा भी संभावना नहीं - बिलकुल भी मौका नहीं
• Arabic: لا فرصة إطلاقاً - معدوم الأمل
• Bengali: অসম্ভব ঘটনা - একেবারে সম্ভব নয়
• Russian: шансов как у снежка в аду - ни малейшего шанса
• Japanese: 絶対にあり得ないこと - 望みゼロ
• Vietnamese: không có cửa - không có chút hy vọng nào
• Korean: 가망이 전혀 없음 - 절대 불가능함
• Turkish: hiç şansı yok - imkânsız
• Urdu: ناممکن - قطعی ناممکن
• Indonesian: tidak ada harapan - mustahil

Example Sentences

He has a snowball's chance in hell of winning the lottery.

basic

That plan has a snowball's chance in hell of working.

basic

You have a snowball's chance in hell of beating her in chess.

basic

Honestly, I have a snowball's chance in hell of getting that job.

natural

You think he'll apologize? He’s got a snowball's chance in hell.

natural

There's not a snowball's chance in hell that train is on time.

natural