phrase
also: Biblical & Christian
Hail Mary
A desperate last-second attempt with little chance of success.
Origin
Originally a Catholic prayer to Mary. The sports usage was popularized by quarterback Roger Staubach, who said he'd 'closed his eyes and said a Hail Mary' before throwing a 50-yard touchdown pass to win a 1975 NFL playoff game for the Dallas Cowboys. The phrase migrated from that specific play to any low-probability long throw, then to non-football desperation moves.
Modern usage
Used in business, politics, dating, and any context with a last-ditch attempt. 'A Hail Mary pitch' = a long-shot proposal made when nothing else has worked.
In the wild
The fundraising email was a Hail Mary; we were almost out of runway.โ startup folklore
Tags
desperation
long-shot