odds

odds
odds
S3 [ɔdz US a:dz] n [plural]
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1¦(probability)¦
2¦(difficulties)¦
3 be at odds
4¦(horse racing etc)¦
5 it makes no odds
6 pay over the odds
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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) .
▪ The odds are in favour of a Russian victory (=it is 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
▪ Against all the odds, he recovered from his terrible injuries.
▪ The South Africans overcame the odds to beat Australia.
▪ The hospital's director has been battling against the odds to improve patient care.
▪ The odds are stacked against the young birds, especially in winter.
▪ Their job was to hold on despite impossible odds , in order to give the rest of the army time to strike.
▪ a little company that battled its way, despite enormous odds , to success
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 (sb) odds BrE
▪ They are laying odds of 8-1 that the Conservatives will win the next election.
5.) it makes no odds
BrE 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
BrE 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.
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COLLOCATES for sense 2
against (all) the odds (=although there are great difficulties)
overcome the odds (=succeed although there are great difficulties)
battle against the odds
the odds are stacked against somebody (=there are great difficulties)
impossible odds
enormous/heavy/overwhelming odds
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Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

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Synonyms:
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Look at other dictionaries:

  • odds — [ɒdz ǁ ɑːdz] noun [plural] 1. the odds how likely it is that something will happen: • The odds of us achieving our sales targets are very poor. • The odds are (= it is likely that ) selling will continue. 2. difficulties that make a good result… …   Financial and business terms

  • Odds — stellen in der Wahrscheinlichkeitstheorie und Statistik eine Möglichkeit dar, Wahrscheinlichkeiten anzugeben. Beispielsweise spricht man von einer 1:1 Chance, dass bei einem Münzwurf Kopf erscheint. Mathematisch berechnen sich Odds als Quotienten …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Odds — ([o^]dz), n. sing. & pl. [See {Odd}, a.] 1. Difference in favor of one and against another; excess of one of two things or numbers over the other; inequality; advantage; superiority; hence, excess of chances; probability. The odds are often… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • odds — [ adz ] noun plural ** 1. ) the chances of something happening: the odds of doing something: The odds of getting hit by a falling satellite are very small. (the) odds are (that) (=it is likely that): The odds are they won t succeed. the odds are… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • odds — ► PLURAL NOUN 1) the ratio between the amounts staked by the parties to a bet, based on the expected probability either way. 2) (the odds) the chances of something happening or being the case. 3) (the odds) the balance of advantage; superiority… …   English terms dictionary

  • odds — [ädz] pl.n. [sometimes, esp. formerly, with sing. v.] 1. Archaic inequalities 2. Now Rare difference or amount of difference 3. difference in favor of one side over the other; advantage 4. an equalizing advantage given or received in betting,… …   English World dictionary

  • odds-on — UK US adjective ► thought most likely to happen, succeed, or do a particular thing: odds on to do sth »He is odds on to serve another term as president of the Commission. odds on for sth »Next month looks odds on for a further rise in interest… …   Financial and business terms

  • odds-on — adj 1.) odds on favourite the person, horse etc that is most likely to win a race or other competition 2.) BrE informal very likely it s odds on (that) ▪ It s odds on that she won t come. be odds on to do sth ▪ They must have felt they were odds… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • odds-on — adjective INFORMAL very likely: it is odds on (that): It s odds on that Gerry will miss the meeting again. be odds on to do something: Pearson is odds on to play his last game on Saturday. the odds on favorite the person or animal that people… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Odds On —   First edition cover Author(s) …   Wikipedia

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