A game of chance
Meaning
An activity whose outcome is primarily determined by luck or random events rather than skill or strategy.
Origin
Long before the bright lights of modern casinos, humanity was already tossing bones, drawing straws, and rolling rudimentary dice. This age-old fascination with unpredictable outcomes gave rise to the very idea of 'a game of chance.' Unlike activities demanding skill and strategy, these were pursuits where the gods—or pure randomness—dictated the winner. The phrase itself isn't tied to a specific ancient text or legendary event; instead, it evolved naturally as a clear, common-sense description for any activity where luck is the primary determinant. It simply captures that universal human understanding: sometimes, success isn't about what you do, but what fate has in store.
Examples
- Despite attempts to employ strategy, roulette remains fundamentally a game of chance.
- For many, the stock market can feel like a game of chance, especially during periods of high volatility.