By any chance

[NHHL]

A: Mom, what are you doing?
B: I'm cooking dinner.
A: Are you making pasta salad, by any chance?

- What does "by any chance" mean in this context?

Thanks so much!

NHHL

 

[Copyright]

I hope.

 

[Ume]

The phrase is used to ask politely whether something is true.
Are you Mrs Grant, by any chance?