main chance

noun

: the best chance for personal or financial gain
kept an eye on the main chance

Examples of main chance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Thursday brings our main chance of rain the next several days as a cold front comes through. Dan Stillman, Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2022 The two become precarious friends, with Norma forever seizing the main chance, often to Susan’s detriment. Katherine A. Powers, Washington Post, 7 June 2022 The main chance to get damp will be in the afternoon, so carry an umbrella and guarantee you won’t get rained on! Washington Post, 14 Apr. 2022 The going is good before that, though, with the main chance of any rain focused on tonight. Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2022 Barker’s novels paint the Greek queen as a cool customer with an eye on the main chance and few illusions about either men or women. Daniel Mendelsohn, The New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2021 The main chance of thunderstorms today will come late in the day for our western counties. Dallas News, 28 Sep. 2021 The only way to accelerate access to space would be for private-sector firms to tackle it, and pursue the main chance on their own terms. Clive Thompson, The New Republic, 3 Dec. 2020 Harris has always had an eye for where the main chance was, and the deepest pockets. Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 13 Aug. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of main chance was in 1577

Dictionary Entries Near main chance

Cite this Entry

“Main chance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/main%20chance. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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