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Hadn't a prayer

 

An idiom is an expression whose meaning is not readily apparent based on the individual words in the expression. This forum is dedicated to discussing idioms and other sayings.

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  #1  
Old November 05, 2008, 06:10 AM
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Hadn't a prayer
What does this means?

The phrase is: "and I hadn't a prayer of building a canoe"
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  #2  
Old November 05, 2008, 06:55 AM
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It means: I didn't have a chance.
Example: He thinks he can build a canoe. He doesn't have a prayer
Cree que puede construir una canoa. El pobre no tiene ni lo mas mínimo posibilidad de tener éxito.
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Last edited by poli; November 05, 2008 at 07:05 AM.
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Old November 05, 2008, 07:22 AM
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Poli the word prayer does not mean Oracion, or Rezar?
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Old November 05, 2008, 08:39 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CrOtALiTo View Post
Poli the word prayer does not mean Oracion, or Rezar?
Yes, the word prayer translates to oración or rezo. (to pray = orar/rezar)

But, in the idiomatic expression (to not have a prayer), it means no tener remedio.
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Old November 05, 2008, 08:41 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CrOtALiTo View Post
Poli the word prayer does not mean Oracion, or Rezar?
Crotalito así es el modo de hacer esta pregunta: Does the word prayer
mean oracion or rezar?
Si Crotalito, prayer significa oracion.
to pray=rezar, suplicar
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Old November 05, 2008, 10:01 AM
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In addition to what Rusty says, to not have a prayer can also mean no tener ninguna posibilidad (de ganar/triunfar/sobrevivir/logar algo etc).
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Old November 05, 2008, 11:20 AM
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Muchas gracias a todos. Me imaginaba que podía ser eso, pero quería estar seguro.
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