Hail Mary

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noun

Also called Hail Mary pass, Hail Mary play . a long forward pass in football, especially as a last-ditch attempt at the end of a game, where completion is considered unlikely.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of Hail Mary

1300–50; Middle English, translation of Medieval Latin Ave Maria

Words nearby Hail Mary

Haile Selassie I, hail-fellow, hail-fellow-well-met, hail from, hailing distance, Hail Mary, Hailsham of St Marylebone, hailstone, hailstorm, “Hail to the Chief”, Hailwood

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Hail Mary in a sentence

As an election tactic, it was a Hail-Mary move: a half-hour address by an aging actor of no political standing or constituency.
Remembering Reagan’s Defining Speech|Stuart Stevens|October 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With Terri Lynn Land looking like a goner, Republicans are throwing a wild Hail Mary—using 2004 tactics to gain a Senate seat.
The (Sloppy) Swift-Boating of Michigan Democrat Gary Peters|Tim Mak|October 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“It sounded like they were praying the Hail Mary,” Gozik recalled.
The Last American Soldier Executed for Desertion|Michael Daly|June 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It does, however, get at the Hail Mary aspect of both picks by nominees behind in the polls.
Hillary Supporters Should Want to Complete Ferraro’s Unfinished Business|Jill Lawrence|February 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

To Paul, this speech was sort of a fear mongering “Hail Mary” speech.
Rand Paul's Muslim-Bashing Speech|Dean Obeidallah|October 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The exhortation was usually followed by a loud saying of a Paternoster and a "Hail Mary" by all present.
Tyrol and its People|Clive Holland
After the prayer of praise in the "Hail Mary" there follows the prayer of supplication which the Church has added.
The Excellence of the Rosary|M. J. Frings
Certain critics of the Rosary cannot understand why the Hail Mary is so frequently repeated.
The Excellence of the Rosary|M. J. Frings
The "Hail Mary" proved a bit difficult for Hannah, and she finally abandoned it.
The Little Mixer|Lillian Nicholson Shearon
I have received a light that thou art to be the model for the 'Hail Mary!'
Agnes of Sorrento|Harriet Beecher Stowe

British Dictionary definitions for Hail Mary

Hail Mary

noun

Also called: Ave Maria RC Church a prayer to the Virgin Mary, based on the salutations of the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:28) and Elizabeth (Luke 1:42) to her

American football slang a very long high pass into the end zone, made in the final seconds of a half or of a game

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012