- At odds
- Odds 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 expressed by a ratio; as,
the odds are three to one that he will win, i. e. he will
win three times out of four ``Pre["e]minent by so much
odds.'' --Milton. ``The fearful odds of that unequal
fray.'' --Trench.
[1913 Webster]
The odds Is that we scarce are men and you are gods. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
There appeared, at least, four to one odds against them. --Swift. [1913 Webster]
All the odds between them has been the different scope . . . given to their understandings to range in. --Locke. [1913 Webster]
Judging is balancing an account and determining on which side the odds lie. --Locke. [1913 Webster]
2. Quarrel; dispute; debate; strife; -- chiefly in the phrase at odds. [1913 Webster]
Set them into confounding odds. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
I can not speak Any beginning to this peevish odds. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
{At odds}, in dispute; at variance. ``These squires at odds did fall.'' --Spenser. ``He flashes into one gross crime or other, that sets us all at odds.'' --Shak.
{It is odds}, it is probable; same as {odds are}, but no longer used. [Obs.] --Jer. Taylor.
{odds are} it is probable; as, odds are he will win the gold medal.
{Odds and ends}, that which is left; remnants; fragments; refuse; scraps; miscellaneous articles. ``My brain is filled . . . with all kinds of odds and ends.'' --W. Irving.
{slim odds} low odds; poor chances; as, there are slim odds he will win any medal. [1913 Webster +PJC]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
