Are you looking for some useful hope idioms?
Well, you are in the right place. In this post, we are going to look at 10 simple idioms about hope to enhance your English conversations.
Enjoy!

10 Useful Hope Idioms (Examples & Definitions)
To Have A Ray Of Hope
We can say that one has a ray of hope when we see a sign that things are going to get better in a difficult situation.
“I am not sure that the Green Bay Packers can win this game. They are already behind 14-7. Our one ray of hope is that the opposing team’s leading scorer just got injured. With him out of the game, we might have a chance to win this game.”
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To Keep One’s Hope Alive
To keep one’s hope alive means to be optimistic about a situation even though the outcome looks bleak or futile.
“I know that the doctor said his situation was bleak, but when he said that they are looking into a new type of treatment, it helped to keep my hope alive.“
To Hold Out Hope
When a person continues to hope for something to happen even though it is unlikely, we say that they are holding out hope. You can add modifiers such as “little”, “any” or “much” to emphasize that there is little chance of seeing the desired outcome.
“I know that the government has approved new regulations in order to discourage people from breaking the law, but I hold out little hope that things will get better.”
To Cling To A Shred Of Hope
When a person says that someone is clinging to a shred of hope they are saying that that person is holding on to the slightest bit of hope.
“The police still have not found her body. The family of this missing woman is clinging to a shred of hope that their mother will be found alive.“
To Build One’s Hopes Up
To build one’s hopes up means to become excited that something good is going to happen. We can also build up the hopes of another person. In other words, we can persuade them that something good is going to happen.
“Don’t build up the kid’s hopes about going to the zoo this weekend. If the weather is good, we will go, but if the weather is bad we will probably just do something around the house. I just don’t want them to be disappointed if we can’t go.”
To Hope For The Best, But Expect The Worst
When we tell someone to hope for the best but expect the worst, we are telling that person to be positive, but at the same time be prepared for the possibility of a negative outcome. A positive outcome isn’t always guaranteed. In other words, don’t become overly sad things do work out as planned. Something this expression is shortened to just hope for the best.
“We hoped for the best and yet expected the worst when we boarded the airplane.”
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To Hope That Something Sticks
We say we hope something sticks to describe a wish for something (usually a plan) to be successful despite very little preparation or despite very little effort. It comes from the idea of throwing a bunch of things at an object with the hope that at least one of those things will stick to the object.
“I am not sure the board is going to like this presentation, but let’s just throw everything at them and hope that something sticks.”
To Hope Against All Hope
When a person continues to hope for something to happen even though it is very unlikely to happen, we say that they are hoping against all hope.
“I know my dad won’t be able to visit me this month, but I am hoping against all hope that something changes and he can come.“
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Hope Springs Eternal
Hope springs enteral is an expression used to describe people who can find a reason to be optimistic even in the most difficult situation.
“There is a very little chance that I will get the job, I just don’t have the needed work experience, but hope springs eternal right?
To Live In Hope
To believe that what we want to happen will happen one day is to live in hope or to live in one’s hope.
“I know it is a long shot, but I live in hope that one day I will live in New York City.”
There you have it 10 simple hope idioms. Which one was your favorite? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
If you enjoy this post, you may also enjoy our Idiom Of The Day page. There we post a different idiom every day. Check it out!