odds
5 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of ODDS
[plural]
1
:
the possibility that something will happen
:
the chance that one thing will happen instead of a different thing
— often used with the
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She wanted to improve her odds [=chances] of winning.
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They believe that surgery may increase his odds of survival. [=may make it more likely that he will survive]
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There's a chance it could rain, but odds are that it'll be sunny tomorrow. [=it is more likely to be sunny than rainy tomorrow]
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The team has made some major improvements, but they still face long odds. [=they still are not likely to win]
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The odds are good that he'll survive. [=he is likely to survive]
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What are the odds of winning?
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What are the odds that they'll be there on time?
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Smoking increases the odds of getting lung cancer.
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The odds are in our favor. [=it is likely that we will succeed]
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She knew that the odds were against her. [=she knew that she was not likely to succeed]
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It could rain tomorrow, but the odds are against it. [=it probably will not rain]
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The odds are in favor of a major storm this weekend. [=a major storm is likely this weekend]
2
:
conditions that make it difficult for something to happen
— often used with the
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They fought against great/heavy/impossible/overwhelming odds and won.
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He was able to do it, against all odds. [=even though it was very difficult and unlikely]
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They defied/overcame the odds.
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Despite/against the odds, she has survived breast cancer.
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I tried to beat the odds. [=to succeed even though I was not likely to succeed]
3
:
two numbers that show how much a person can win by betting a certain amount of money
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I bet $1,000 at 4–1 odds. If the horse I bet on wins, I will walk away with $4,000.
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winning at odds of 6–1
at odds
:
not agreeing with each other
:
in a state of disagreement
— often + with
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The parents and teachers are still at odds (about/over what to teach the students).
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The two groups have long been at odds with each other.
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He was completely at odds [=he completely disagreed] with the way the problem was being handled.
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The results of the study are at odds with our previous findings.
make no odds
British, informal
— used to say that a choice is not important
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It makes no odds [=makes no difference] to me when we leave.
odds are in favor
over the odds
British, informal
:
more than the usual or expected amount
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We had to pay over the odds to get good seats for the concert.
what's the odds?
British, informal
— used to say that something is not likely to have an effect or make a difference
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He'll do it anyway, so what's the odds [=what's the use] of telling him not to?
