Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
hail mary
noun
/ˈheɪl ˈmɛri/
Definition
A desperate or risky action taken when there is little chance of success, typically used in reference to a last-minute attempt to achieve something significant.
Examples
- With only seconds left in the game, the team made a hail mary pass down the field.
- She sent a hail mary email hoping to get a response from the busy CEO.
- His decision to invest all his savings in a startup felt like a hail mary.
Meaning
An attempt made in a situation where the likelihood of success is very low, often used in the context of sports and life situations.
Synonyms
- long shot
- last-ditch effort
- desperate measure
