Chinaman's chance

Originally a reference to the socio-economic prospects of immigrant Chinese labour in the United States in the 19th century, which often involved highly dangerous work on the railroads.

• "And if I weren’t here now, Driscoll and Ann wouldn’t have a Chinaman’s chance.’"
• "The Chinese, who in the mid-19th century had come to America by the tens of thousands and helped build the transcontinental railway, were on the receiving end of much prejudicial legislation. . . . In the slang wisdom of the day, sojourners from the Middle Kingdom "didn't stand a Chinaman's chance.""

• Chinaman's chance in hell