word order - Differences between "just might" and "might just?"


Can someone help me understand more precisely the connotative differences between "just might" and "might just


I came upon this dilemma while working on a short comic strip. In the first panel, a person is attempting an unorthodox approach to a problem, saying:



It might just work.



The second panel, moments later:



It didn't work.



I'm unsure if the effect would be significantly altered if the words were swapped.



Answer



"might just work" sounds like "it might simply work--that is, without the complications one might predict."


"just might work" has a blossoming optimism. It suggests that something that you'd think wouldn't work actually has a decent shot at working.


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