What it means
An opportunist who’ll chance their arm, push their luck, or try a dodgy move with pure confidence. A chancer isn’t always reckless, they’re just cheeky enough to ask for the moon and act like it’s normal. Can be admiring or slagging, depending on whether it works out. Honestly, Ireland runs on chancers.
Usage examples
"Young fella strolled in his first week and asked the CEO for a raise, no bother. Absolute chancer, and the mad thing is yer man got it."
"He turned up to the wedding with no invite, talked his way to the top table and left with a goodie bag. Pure chancer."
"She rocked up to the bar after last orders, smiled at the barman and still got served. Total chancer."
"Only a chancer would email the landlord asking for lower rent and a free parking space, then act offended when he said no."
"Asked the hotel for a free upgrade because it was his birthday month. Birthday month. Proper chancer."
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Where it comes from
It’s a straight build from chance plus the agent suffix -er, so literally someone who takes chances. The word is recorded in British English from the late 1800s and later got a very at-home life in Irish and UK slang, where it means a brazen opportunist with the neck to ask for wild favours.
Other ways to say it
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