OPPORTUNITY
ADJECTIVES
► OPPORTUNEFUL affording opportunity; seasonable → 1605 obs.
NOUNS
► ADVANTAGE a time of vantage, a favourable occasion, an opportunity, a ‘chance’ → 1386 obs.
► CAST a throw or stroke of fortune; hence, fortune, chance, opportunity; lot, fate → 1300 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
► CLEAR SWING a good opportunity → 1905 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► COVENABLETE fitness, suitableness; a fit occasion, an opportunity → 1384 obs.
► DINT a momentary opportunity → 1737 Sc.
► DOOR-OPENER something that is effective in leading to opportunity or success → 20C colloq.
► EASE opportunity, means or ability to do something → 1225 obs.
► ETTLE chance, opportunity → 1768 Sc.
► FAIR CRACK OF THE WHIP fair treatment; equal opportunity; a reasonable chance → 1929 Aust. sl.
► FAIR GO an act or instance of just treatment; a fair or reasonable opportunity → 1904 Aust. sl.
► FAIR POP a good opportunity, a fair chance → L19 sl.
► FAIR SUCK OF THE SAUCE BOTTLE a fair or equal chance; an equal opportunity → 1960s Aust. & NZ sl.
► FAIR SUCK OF THE SAUCE STICK fair treatment, equal opportunity → 1971 Aust. sl.
► KANT opportunity, occasion → 1929 Sc.
► LARGENESS freedom, scope, opportunity → 1631 obs.
► LAST LICKS a final turn or opportunity → 1898
► MAIDEN-CHANCE a first chance or opportunity → 1861 Sc.
► MAKINGS opportunities; chances; openings → 1866 Eng. dial.
► OFFER an occasion, opportunity → 1848 Ireland
► OPE an opportunity → 1611 obs.
► OPEN SLATHER unrestricted opportunity → 1999 (Bk.)
► SHOW a prospect, chance, promise; an opportunity, opening → 1856 Amer. dial.
► SHOWING a prospect, chance, promise; an opportunity, opening → 1884 Amer. dial.
► SIGHT an opportunity, chance, prospect → 1849 Amer. dial.
► TIDE a suitable, favourable, or proper time or occasion; season; opportunity → 888 arch.
► TOOM time convenient or proper for doing something; opportunity, occasion → 1300 obs.
► VANTAGE an opportunity; a chance → 1592 obs.
PHRASES
► WHEN THE PIG IS OFFERED, HOLD OPEN THE POKE one must seize one’s opportunities → 1325 obs.
VERBS
► EEM to spare time, to have leisure; to find an opportunity → 1691 Eng. dial. obs.
► KEEP ONE’S SIGHTING EYE OUT to watch for an opportunity → 1914 Amer. dial.
► LOSE ONE’S DASH to reach one’s limit; to exhaust one’s energies and abilities; to lose one’s opportunity, and suffer accordingly → 1880 sl.
► LOSE ONE’S PUNCH to reach one’s limit; to exhaust one’s energies and abilities; to lose one’s opportunity, and suffer accordingly → 1910s sl.
► MISS THE A-TRAIN to lose an opportunity; to forfeit a chance → 20C
► MISS THE BUS to lose an opportunity; to fail in an undertaking → 1886 Amer. dial.
► SWING THE MALLET to strike while the iron is hot → 1888 Eng. dial.
► TAKE THE BALL BEFORE THE BOUND to anticipate an opportunity → 1645
► TIME BY THE TOP to seize one’s opportunity, to act promptly → 1926 obs. (Bk.)
► WAIT FOR A LAY to wait for a chance or opportunity → 1902 (Bk.)
► WAIVE to treat with neglect, to ignore, to disregard, to overlook; to let pass an opportunity → 1400 obs.
Lexicophilia 