odds S3 AC /ɒdz $ ɑːdz/ BrE AmE noun [plural]
1 . PROBABILITY the odds how likely it is that something will or will not happen:
The odds are (=it is likely) that he will commit the same crime again.
the odds of
You can narrow the odds of a nasty accident happening in your home by being more safety-conscious.
the odds against
The odds against a plane crash are around a million to one.
I’m afraid that the odds are heavily against her winning (=it is not likely) .
What are the odds (=how likely is it) that they will mess up?
a new company that has beaten the odds and succeeded (=it was not likely to succeed, but it did)
2 . DIFFICULTIES difficulties which make a good result seem very unlikely:
The hospital’s director has been battling against the odds to improve patient care.
The soldiers’ job was to hold on despite impossible odds.
3 . be at odds
a) to disagree
be at odds with
Briggs found himself at odds with his colleagues.
be at odds over/on
The two politicians were at odds over what was the truth.
b) if two statements, descriptions, actions etc are at odds with each other, they are different although they should be the same
be at odds with
Mark’s account of what happened is at odds with Dan’s.
She gave him a sweet smile, totally at odds with the look of dislike in her eyes.
4 . HORSE RACING ETC the numbers that show how much money you will win if you ↑ bet on the winner of a horse race or other competition:
The odds are 6–1.
odds of
At odds of 10–1 he bet a hundred pounds.
(at) long/short odds (=high or low numbers, that show a high or low risk of losing)
Everyone was surprised when Desert Zone won the race, at very long odds.
lay/offer (somebody) odds British English :
They are laying odds of 8–1 that the Conservatives will win the next election.
5 . it makes no odds British English spoken used to say that what someone does or what happens is not important:
Pay me now or later – it makes no odds.
6 . pay over the odds British English informal to pay a higher price than is usual or reasonable:
Most residents live in tiny apartments and pay over the odds for them too.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ adjectives
▪ enormous/considerable/incredible odds
He survived a night in the cold water against incredible odds.
▪ great odds (=a lot of difficulties)
We must hope that, despite great odds, we can achieve a peaceful settlement.
▪ impossible/overwhelming odds (=making success seem extremely unlikely)
They face impossible odds simply trying to get an education.
|
They face overwhelming odds in their struggle to preserve the park.
■ verbs
▪ beat/overcome/defy the odds (=succeed despite great difficulties)
The baby, born sixteen weeks too early, defied the odds and is celebrating her first birthday.
▪ battle/struggle against the odds (=work hard despite great difficulties)
The Coastguard was battling against the odds to keep the oil spill from reaching the shore.
■ phrases
▪ against all odds (=despite something seeming very unlikely)
Against all odds, he recovered from his illness.
▪ the odds are stacked against somebody (=there are a lot of difficulties that may prevent someone’s success)
They may be able to build a life for themselves, but the odds are stacked against them.