# can but hope

> English word · Verb

## Definitions
1. To be unable to do anything (about something) other than hope [with that (+ clause); or (informal) with clause; or with so or (negative) not]; especially with long odds.

## Etymology
Ellipsis of can do nothing but hope or can do naught but hope.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/can-but-hope