Not have a prayer Meaning in English
expression
ˈnɑt/ /ˈhæv/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈpɹeɪɝ/, /ˈpɹɛɹ
NAHT HAV uh PRAYR
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 oportunidadPortuguese (BR): não ter a menor chance - não ter nenhuma chancePortuguese (PT): não ter a mínima hipótese - não ter hipótese nenhumaChinese (Simplified): 毫无机会 - 毫无可能Chinese (Traditional): 毫無機會 - 毫無可能Hindi: कोई संभावना नहीं होनाArabic: لا يملك أي فرصة - مستحيل النجاحBengali: কোনো সুযোগ নেই - বিন্দুমাত্র সম্ভাবনা নেইRussian: ни малейшего шанса - никаких шансовJapanese: 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 nàoKorean: 가망이 없다 - 전혀 가능성이 없다Turkish: hiç şansı yok - zerre ihtimali yokUrdu: قطعاً کوئی امید نہیں - بالکل کوئی چانس نہیںIndonesian: 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