opportunity

op·por·tu·ni·ty

O0098200 (ŏp′ər-to͞o′nĭ-tē, -tyo͞o′-)n. pl. op·por·tu·ni·ties 1. A favorable or advantageous circumstance or combination of circumstances.2. A chance for progress or advancement, as in a career.Synonyms: opportunity, occasion, opening, chance, break
These nouns refer to a favorable or advantageous circumstance or combination of circumstances. Opportunity is a favorable state of affairs or a suitable time: "If you prepare yourself ... you will be able to grasp opportunity for broader experience when it appears" (Eleanor Roosevelt).
Occasion suggests the proper time for an action or purpose: "The celebration of the New Year is an occasion for optimism and hope" (Bill Clinton).
An opening is an opportunity affording a good possibility of success: She waited patiently for her opening, then proved she was ready to lead the group.
Chance often implies an opportunity that arises through luck or accident: Meeting each other at the coffee shop was a chance for us to chat.
A break is an often sudden piece of luck, especially good luck: The aspiring actor got his first big break in Hollywood.

opportunity

(ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪtɪ) n, pl -ties1. a favourable, appropriate, or advantageous combination of circumstances2. a chance or prospect

op•por•tu•ni•ty

(ˌɒp ərˈtu nɪ ti, -ˈtyu-)

n., pl. -ties. 1. an appropriate or favorable time or occasion. 2. a situation or condition favorable for attainment of a goal. 3. a good chance or prospect, as for success.

opportunity

El Dorado - A place offering fabulous wealth or opportunity (after the legendary place in South America, "the gilded one").
ease - First meant "opportunity, ability," or "means to do something."
hint - First meant "an occasion or opportunity."
occasion - Once had the specific sense of "an opportunity for finding fault or giving offense."

Opportunity

See Also: FORTUNE/MISFORTUNE, IMPOSSIBILITY

Life was opening up … like an orchid in bloom —T. Coraghessan Boyle
Opportunities, like eggs, don’t come but one at a time —Josh Billings
In Billings’ original dialect: “Oopportunitays … kum but one at a time.”
Opportunity … it fell like a lucky coin at his feet —George Garrett
Possibilities rising like new mountains —Richard Ford
Sometimes opportunity knocks like a loud windburst; more often it arrives like a burglar and disappears before you realize it was there —Elyse Sommer

occasion

opportunity chance">chance1. 'occasion'

An occasion is a particular time when something happens.

I remember the occasion very well.There are occasions when you must refuse.

You often say that something happens on a particular occasion.

I think it would be better if I went alone on this occasion.I met him only on one occasion.

An occasion is also an important event, ceremony, or celebration.

It was a wonderful end to an unforgettable occasion.They have fixed the date for the big occasion.2. 'opportunity' and 'chance'

Don't use occasion to refer to a situation in which it is possible for someone to do something. Instead, use opportunity or chance.

I am very grateful to have had the opportunity of working with Paul.She put the phone down before I had a chance to reply.See chance

opportunity

1. 'opportunity'

An opportunity is a situation in which it is possible for something to be done. You talk about an opportunity for something or an opportunity to do something.

They must regard it as an opportunity for a genuine new start.They don't even give them the opportunity to become better.

You can also talk about an opportunity for doing something, especially if you use an adjective such as perfect or excellent in front of opportunity.

This was a marvellous opportunity for exchanging gossip with the other girls.This provides an excellent opportunity for bird-watching.

You can also talk about the opportunity of doing something.

This gave him the opportunity of developing his talent as a teacher.2. 'no opportunity'

You can say there is no opportunity to do something.

I suppose you had no opportunity to bring it.For some reason he had had no opportunity to eat the day before.3. 'chance'

Chance is used in a similar way to opportunity.

See chance

possibility

opportunity1. 'possibility'

If there is a possibility of something happening or being true, it might happen or be true.

There was a possibility that they had taken the wrong road.We must accept the possibility that we might be wrong.

If there is no possibility of something happening or being true, it cannot happen or be true.

There was now no possibility of success.There is no possibility that he did that accidentally.

If you talk or think about the possibility of doing something, you are considering whether to do it.

He talked about the possibility of getting married.

Be Careful!
Don't say 'He talked about the possibility to get married.'

2. 'opportunity'

When a situation makes it possible for someone to do something, don't say that they have 'the possibility to do' it. Say that they have the opportunity to do it or the opportunity of doing it.

You will have the opportunity to study several different subjects in your first year.Sadly, I never had the opportunity of meeting him.

Thesaurus

Noun

opportunity - a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances; "the holiday gave us the opportunity to visit Washington"; "now is your chance"chancepossibleness, possibility - capability of existing or happening or being true; "there is a possibility that his sense of smell has been impaired"brass ring - a rich opportunity or a prize; "he missed the brass ring at the Miami convention"day - a period of opportunity; "he deserves his day in court"; "every dog has his day"clean slate, fresh start, tabula rasa - an opportunity to start over without prejudicehearing, audience - an opportunity to state your case and be heard; "they condemned him without a hearing"; "he saw that he had lost his audience"hunting ground - a place where opportunities aboundoccasion - an opportunity to do something; "there was never an occasion for her to demonstrate her skill"opening - opportunity especially for employment or promotion; "there is an opening in the sales department"room - opportunity for; "room for improvement"say - the chance to speak; "let him have his say"shot, crack - a chance to do something; "he wanted a shot at the champion"street - a situation offering opportunities; "he worked both sides of the street"; "cooperation is a two-way street"throw - a single chance or instance; "he couldn't afford $50 a throw"

opportunity

noun chance, opening, time, turn, hour, break (informal), moment, window, possibility, occasion, slot, scope, look-in (informal), opRtunET (S.M.S.) I was given an opportunity to bathe and shower. I had the opportunity to go abroad and study.Proverbs
"When the cat's away, the mice will play"
"Never look a gift horse in the mouth"
"When one door shuts, another door opens"
"Strike while the iron is hot"
"There is no time like the present"
"He who hesitates is lost"

opportunity

nounA favorable or advantageous combination of circumstances:break, chance, occasion, opening.Informal: shot.

Translations

机会时机

opportunity

(opəˈtjuːnəti) – plural opporˈtunities – noun a chance to do or a time for doing (something). an opportunity to go to Rome; You've had several opportunities to ask him. 机会，时机

opportunity

→ 机会zhCN

opportunity

cash in on opportunity

To take advantage of or benefit from an opportune moment or situation. Typically used with "an" or "the" preceding "opportunity." After the drudgery of working in an office for five years, Catherine decided to cash in on an opportunity to work as a travel writer for her friend's new tourism agency. Although the market crash left many people with overpriced mortgages, some savvy homeowners cashed in on the opportunity to purchase property at rock-bottom prices.See also: cash, on, opportunity

jump at the opportunity (to do something)

The Land of Opportunity

1. The United States of America, from the notion that the country provides the opportunity for success to anyone from any background. Sometimes spelled in lower case. In the early 1940s, my grandparents, fleeing persecution in Europe, took everything they owned and sailed on a boat to the Land of Opportunity. I am convinced that this is still the land of opportunity, that any man or woman with a dream and the desire to work hard can achieve anything.2. The official state nickname of Arkansas from 1947 to 1995 (replaced by "The Natural State"). My family's been living in The Land of Opportunity for nearly three generations, but we originally hail from Pennsylvania.See also: land, of, opportunity

opportunity knocks

A major opportunity to find success presents itself or becomes available. You have to be ready to act if opportunity knocks, or you might end up regretting it forever. It was hard leaving my parents and all my friends from high school, but when opportunity knocked to attend school overseas, I knew I had to seize the chance.See also: knock, opportunity

opportunity knocks at every man's door

Chances for success present themselves to everyone. Don't be jealous of your sister—opportunity knocks at every man's door, and it will come along for you soon enough.See also: door, every, knock, opportunity

window of opportunity

A short or limited period of time in which one has a favorable opportunity to do, obtain, or accomplish something. The summit offers a window of opportunity for the two countries to reach a peace agreement. Some fear we may have already missed our window of opportunity to get the development plan approved by the city.See also: of, opportunity, window

take the opportunity (to do something)

To capitalize on or make practical and worthwhile use of a particular event, situation, happening, or occasion in order to accomplish something. While I have everyone here, I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you all for your support on this journey—it's been truly humbling, from beginning to end. I know you're discouraged about having to look for a new job, but take the opportunity to consider different areas of work that you might be interested in.See also: opportunity, take

leap at the opportunity (to do something)

To accept or seize with alacrity an opportunity (to do something). Mark complains about his teaching job a lot, but I knew if he were offered a tenured position in the school, he would leap at the opportunity. When our manager said she was leaving the company, I leaped at the opportunity to get her job. You should have been leaping at the opportunity to move someplace new and exciting—instead, you decided to just stay in the same town you've always known.See also: leap, opportunity

once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

A opportunity or opportunity afforded to one that is or seems unlikely to ever come about again. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to manage our European office in Switzerland, so please think about it. I found myself with the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have dinner with the famous author.See also: opportunity

once-in-a-lifetime chance

A chance or opportunity afforded to one that is or seems unlikely to ever come about again. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to manage our European office in Switzerland, so please think about it. I found myself with the once-in-a-lifetime chance to have dinner with the famous author.See also: chance

opportunity knocks but once

Great opportunities are typically only encountered once. The phrase implies that one risks losing them forever if one does not act quickly and seize them right away. Opportunity knocks but once—if you don't accept the job in Japan now, you'll never go! A: "I'm nervous about committing to grad school. I know it would open all sorts of doors for me, but I'd have to move away from all my friends and family." B: "Opportunity knocks but once, dude. You'll always regret it if you don't go for it."See also: but, knock, once, opportunity

opportunity makes a thief

Even those who are morally upright would steal if they were able to do it without getting caught. A: "I figured out a way to collect social welfare while still working." B: "I never thought someone like you would try to rip off the system like that. Opportunity makes a thief, I guess."See also: make, opportunity, thief

seize the opportunity (to do something)

To accept or pursue an opportunity (to do something) with alacrity or conviction. Mark complains about his teaching job a lot, but I knew if he were offered a tenured position in the school, he would seize the opportunity without hesitation. When our manager said she was leaving the company, I seized the opportunity to fill the vacancy. You should have been seizing the opportunity to move someplace new and exciting—instead, you decided to just stay in the same town you've always known.See also: opportunity, seize

a golden opportunity

An outstanding, perhaps even ideal, chance to do something. Often one that happens rarely. This is a golden opportunity for you—please don't cancel this interview.See also: golden, opportunity

growth experience

An experience that helps or allows one to change and mature. That painful break-up was ultimately a growth experience—now, I only date people who truly care about me.See also: experience, growth

growth opportunity

An opportunity or experience that helps or allows someone or something to change in a positive way. If we take this job, it would expose our graphic design work to way more people—sounds like a real growth opportunity to me. That painful break-up might just be a growth opportunity, honey.See also: growth, opportunity

(a) golden opportunity

Fig. an excellent opportunity that is not likely to be repeated. When I failed to finish college, I missed my golden opportunity to prepare myself for a good job.See also: golden, opportunity

growth experience

and growth opportunity; learning experienceEuph. an unpleasant experience. This job has been a growth experience for me. I've learned so much. Jim said that his trip to Mexico turned out to be a real learning experience.See also: experience, growth

jump at the opportunity

(to do something) Go to leap at the opportunity (to do something).See also: jump, opportunity

leap at the opportunity (to do something)

and leap at the chance (to do something); jump at the chance (to do something); jump at the opportunity (to do something)Fig. to accept an opportunity eagerly. Frank leapt at the opportunity to become a commercial artist. It was a great idea and we leapt at the opportunity. I would leap at the chance to go to Moscow. His company proposed to send him to England, and John jumped at the chance.See also: leap, opportunity

once-in-a-lifetime chance

and once-in-a-lifetime opportunitya chance that will never occur again in one's lifetime. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Don't miss it. She offered me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but I turned it down.See also: chance

Opportunity knocks but once

.Prov. You will only have one chance to do something important or profitable. (You can say opportunity knocks to signal that someone's chance to do something important is here right now.) When Nancy got a scholarship offer from a college far away, her parents encouraged her to go, even though they didn't like the thought of her moving so far from home. "Opportunity knocks but once," they said, "and this may be your only chance to get a good education."See also: but, knock, once, opportunity

Opportunity makes a thief.

Prov. Anyone would steal, given a chance to do so without being punished. Mr. Cooper thought of himself as a moral man. But opportunity makes a thief, and with the safe unguarded he had the opportunity to steal thousands of dollars undetected.See also: make, opportunity, thief

seize the opportunity

to take advantage of an opportunity when offered. My uncle offered me a trip to Europe, so I seized the opportunity. Whenever you have a chance, you should seize the opportunity.See also: opportunity, seize

window of opportunity

Fig. a brief time period in which an opportunity exists. This afternoon, I had a brief window of opportunity when I could discuss this with the boss, but she wasn't receptive.See also: of, opportunity, window

opportunity knocks

a chance of success occurs. This expression comes from the proverb opportunity never knocks twice at any man's door or opportunity knocks but once . The form of the saying with opportunity dates from the late 19th century, but fortune was used in the early 19th century and a version of the saying is recorded in medieval French.See also: knock, opportunity

window of opportunity

a favourable opportunity for doing something that must be seized immediately if it is not to be missed.See also: of, opportunity, window

a ˌwindow of opporˈtunity

a limited period of time when you can do something that you want to do or need to do: The government’s difficulties provided the opposition with a window of opportunity to present an alternative policy to the voters.See also: of, opportunity, window

window of opportunity, a

A short time in which to accomplish something. This usage became popular during the years of the arms race between the Western and Communist powers, when it referred specifically to a chance for attacking. By about 1980 it had been extended to other narrow chances. Thus the London Sunday Times used it on June 16, 1985, “Regional bank bosses know that they must rush to acquire their neighbours, to make the most of their window of opportunity.” It is rapidly becoming a cliché.See also: of, window

opportunity

op·por·tu·ni·ty

opportunity

op•por•tu•ni•ty

opportunity

Opportunity

occasion

opportunity

possibility

opportunity

opportunity

opportunity

opportunity

opportunity

cash in on opportunity

jump at the opportunity (to do something)

The Land of Opportunity

opportunity knocks

opportunity knocks at every man's door

window of opportunity

take the opportunity (to do something)

leap at the opportunity (to do something)

once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

once-in-a-lifetime chance

opportunity knocks but once

opportunity makes a thief

seize the opportunity (to do something)

a golden opportunity

growth experience

growth opportunity

(a) golden opportunity

growth experience

jump at the opportunity

leap at the opportunity (to do something)

once-in-a-lifetime chance

Opportunity knocks but once

Opportunity makes a thief.

seize the opportunity

window of opportunity

opportunity knocks

window of opportunity

a ˌwindow of opporˈtunity

window of opportunity, a

Opportunity

Opportunity,

Opportunity

opportunity

Synonyms for opportunity

noun chance

Synonyms

Synonyms for opportunity

noun a favorable or advantageous combination of circumstances

Synonyms

Synonyms for opportunity

noun a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

Synonyms

Related Words