Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

not have a prayer

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.41 in modern English

Syllables: not have a prayer
IPA

25

Scrabble Score

14

Letters

1

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To have no chance or possibility, usually in the face of peril or adversity.

Informal

Example Sentences

"When the lights went dark in their flooded compartment, the submariners knew that they did not have a prayer."
"It's all over, people! We don't have a prayer!"

Etymology

Implies that not even divine intervention could save the person.

Usage

Informal

Phrases

up the creek

Frequently Paired Words

doomed hopeless screwed up the creek

Synonyms

without a prayer

Questions

What does not have a prayer mean?: To have no chance or possibility, usually in the face of peril or adversity.
Where does not have a prayer come from?: Implies that not even divine intervention could save the person.

How to pronounce not have a prayer

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “not have a prayer”.
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