We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Theology

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Does It Mean to Have No "Hope in Hell"?

By A. Leverkuhn
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 9,570
Share

The English usage of “no hope in hell” refers to a slim or non-existent chance of something happening. English speakers refer to something having “no hope in hell” as one of several alternative idiomatic phrases. The use of the word “hell” is a peculiar way to talk about chance that is most likely related to the assumedly harsh conditions of a “hellish” environment.

The phrase “no hope in hell” is related to another longer idiomatic phrase that illustrates some possible reasons for using the imagery of hell in relation to chances for survival. The phrase, “a snowball’s chance in hell,” is popular in American and English slang. For example, an English speaker might say a proposal or plan “doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell,” which means the speaker feels the plan will never survive to implementation. Here, it is the particularly hot temperatures associated with hell that provides the background for the metaphorical phrasing. Specifically, “a snowball’s chance in hell” is slim to none, since the high temperatures as most people imagine them would quickly melt the snowball.

Some English speakers who do not want to use this kind of metaphorical language will say the same thing much more efficiently by saying that something has “no chance.” The use of “no hope in hell” or “a snowball’s chance in hell” is usually associated with a somewhat emotional opinion on something. It’s a colorful idiom that is usually used with a certain amount of oratorical passion.

The use of the idiom “no chance in hell” or “no hope in hell” does have some historic and literary basis. For example, Dante’s “Inferno” includes a written motto that stands over the gates to hell that reads Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch’intrate. This translates in English to “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.” This phrase is another popular part of the English lexicon, and provides a foundation for the more idiomatic uses of the word “hell.”

Along with all of the above phrases, English speakers can also say that something has “no chance at all,” where the use of “at all” provides the same emphasis that would be represented by using the word “hell.” Alternately, those substituting a more earthly phrase for a highly metaphorical, one could say there’s “not a chance in the world” or “no chance on earth” for something.

Share
Language & Humanities is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By Phaedrus — On Jun 18, 2014

I usually hear the expression "snowball's chance in Hell" whenever the situation at hand is pretty much hopeless. I have heard a few commentators on TV talk shows say we have no hope in Hell of getting out of a military conflict or an economic crisis, however.

By Inaventu — On Jun 17, 2014

I've heard other expressions, too, like "I hope they sell beer in Hell" or "People in Hell want ice water, and all they're getting is steam". It seems like the concept of an eternal place of damnation really brings home the point of the first part of the expression. You can't substitute the word "Hell" with too many other locations. Hell is the ultimate in bad geography.

Share
https://www.languagehumanities.org/what-does-it-mean-to-have-no-hope-in-hell.htm
Copy this link
Language & Humanities, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Language & Humanities, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.