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ELL Guide

A guide for ELL (English Language Learners) at the University of Maine at Augusta

So You're Telling Me There's A Chance: Meaning & Pop Culture Origin

"So you're telling me there's a chance" is a line from the hit 1994 comedy Dumb & Dumber.  

The line comes from a particular scene where Lloyd Christmas, played by the actor Jim Carrey, asks his love interest what the chances are she would go out with him.  She replies “one in a million.”  Rather than being despondent at such small odds, Lloyd  instead becomes elated–very happy and excited–by the fact, he believes that he does indeed have a chance at a future relationship with his love interest..  

 

Examples how how this phrase could be used:  

 

Friend:  You know there is only a two-percent probability that your team will comeback and win this game: 

 

Friend #2:  “So you’re telling me there’s a chance!”  


 

Friend:  “Why do you play the lottery?  There’s less than a one percent chance you’ll win.  You have a better chance of being struck by lightning–twice.” 

 

Friend #2:  So you’re telling me there’s a chance!   

Watch the famous Dumb & Dumber clip for yourself:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFTRwD85AQ4

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