Odds and ends

Odds and ends
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.

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  • odds and ends — {n. phr.} Miscellaneous items; remnants. * /After the great annual clearance sale there were only a few odds and ends left in the store./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • odds and ends — {n. phr.} Miscellaneous items; remnants. * /After the great annual clearance sale there were only a few odds and ends left in the store./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • odds and ends —    Odds and ends are small, remnant articles and things the same as bits and bobs.   (Dorking School Dictionary)    ***    Odds and ends are small articles, or bits and pieces of all sorts, usually of little value.     I keep my odds and ends in… …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • odds and ends — also .odds and sods BrE informal n [plural] small things of various kinds without much value ▪ He didn t keep much in his desk just a few odds and ends …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • odds and ends — are small, remnant articles and things the same as bits and bobs …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • odds and ends — noun plural small things that are all different and not valuable or important: a drawer full of odds and ends …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Odds and ends —   Odds and ends are small, remnant articles and things the same as bits and bobs …   Dictionary of English idioms

  • odds and ends — [n] miscellaneous paraphernalia assortment, bits, bits and pieces*, debris, etcetera*, hodgepodge, jumble, leavings, litter, medley, mélange, melee, miscellany, motley, oddments, olio, particles, potpourri, remnants, rest, rubbish, rummage,… …   New thesaurus

  • odds and ends — odds′ and ends′ n. pl. 1) miscellaneous items, matters, etc 2) fragments; remnants; scraps; bits • Etymology: 1740–50 …   From formal English to slang

  • odds and ends — ► odds and ends miscellaneous articles or remnants. Main Entry: ↑odd …   English terms dictionary

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