Meaning of Hail Mary pass | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A long forward pass with little chance of completion, typically used by the losing team when time is running out and no other play is practical, in a desperate attempt to score the winning points.
2. An act done in desperation, with only a very small chance of success.
   broadly

Equivalents

Examples

“With 11:04 left in the game, and a comfortable 38–14 lead⟳, Smith heaved a 62-yard, Hail Mary pass⟳ to Carter.”

“Maybe I should just toss up a “Hail Mary” pass⟳ deep into their territory, as though I was saying a prayer that one of our players would catch⟳ it.”

“The black sky emptied as about 50,000 rain-soaked University of Colorado football fans exhaled in improbable joy at Folsom Field. This was after the Hail Mary pass⟳ caught as time expired, after the game-clinching fumble that squirted out of the end⟳ zone in overtime.”

“Some liken that offensive to a “Hail Mary” pass⟳, with the Taliban still entrenched throughout southern and eastern Afghanistan and a program⟳ to persuade⟳ Talib soldiers to lay⟳ down arms and be “reintegrated” into Afghan society having achieved little so far.”

CEFR level