even chance

Equal probability for or against

how chance? (Shakespeare)

How does it happen that?

no chance or not a chance (informal)

That will not happen or succeed

on the off chance

In hope rather than expectation

stand a good chance

To have a reasonable expectation

take one's chance

1. To accept what happens
2. To risk an undertaking

the chances are

It is probable or likely

the main chance

The chief object or best opportunity (esp in the phrase have an eye to the main chance to be aware of opportunity for self-enrichment)

even¹ /ēˈvn/

adjective

1. Flat
2. Level
3. Smooth
4. Calm or unexcited
5. Uniform
6. In a straight line or plane
7. Straightforward (Shakespeare)
8. Balanced equally
9. Equal
10. Fair or just
11. Exact
12. (of people) not owing each other anything
13. Divisible by two without a remainder
14. Denoted by such a number

transitive verb

1. To make even or smooth
2. To put on an equal basis
3. To compare
4. To make (scores, etc) equal
5. To act up to (Shakespeare)

intransitive verb

(often with up) to become even

adverb (also archaic e'en)

1. Exactly (informal)
2. Nearly
3. Indeed, in fact
4. So much as
5. Still, yet, emphasizing a comparative, as in even better
6. Used when speaking or writing of something extreme or completely unexpected, as in even an idiot would know

evˈener noun

evˈenly adverb

evˈenness noun

evˈens plural noun

Even money

adjective and adverb

Quits

even chance noun

An equal probability (of success or failure, etc)

evˈen-Chrisˈtian noun (obsolete)

A fellow Christian

even date noun

The same date

evˈen-down adjective (dialect or archaic)

1. Straight-down (of rain)
2. Downright or honest

adverb

Thoroughly

evˈen-evˈen adjective

Denoting nuclei in which there are an even number of protons and also of neutrons

even-handˈed adjective

1. Impartial
2. Just or fair

even-handˈedly adverb

even-handˈedness noun

even-mindˈed adjective

1. Having an even or calm mind
2. Equable

even money noun

In betting odds, considered extremely likely to win or happen, and paying out only the equal of the stake

evˈen-oddˈ adjective

Denoting nuclei in which there are an even number of protons and an odd number of neutrons

evˈen-stevˈens or evˈen-stevˈen adjective and adverb (informal)

1. (of two sides or parties) having no debts or credits on either side
2. (of two sides in a game, contest, etc) having equal scores

even-temˈpered adjective

Of placid temperament, calm

be even with

1. To be revenged on (also get even with)
2. To be quits with

even as

At that or this very moment when

even now

1. A very little while ago (archaic)
2. After all that has happened

even on (Scot)

Without intermission

even out

To become even or equal

even so

Nevertheless

even up on

To requite or come square with

on an even keel see under keel¹