odds are

odds are
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 are in favor — ◇ If the odds are in your favor, you are likely to win or succeed. We don t know what the decision will be, but we think the odds are in our favor. ◇ If the odds are in favor of something, that thing is likely to happen. The odds are in favor of… …   Useful english dictionary

  • odds are against — {v. phr.} The likelihood of success is not probable; the chances of success are poor. * /The odds are against her getting here before Monday./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • odds are against — {v. phr.} The likelihood of success is not probable; the chances of success are poor. * /The odds are against her getting here before Monday./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • odds\ are\ against — v. phr. the likelihood of success is not probable; the chances of success are poor. The odds are against her getting here before Monday …   Словарь американских идиом

  • (the) odds are stacked against you — the cards/odds/are stacked against you phrase used for saying that you are likely to fail, often because people are being unfair Thesaurus: likely to failsynonym unfairsynonym …   Useful english dictionary

  • the odds are against sb — the odds are against sb/in sb s favour ► someone is unlikely/likely to succeed: »In a case like this, the odds are against the defendant. Main Entry: ↑odds …   Financial and business terms

  • the odds are against sb/in sb's favour — ► someone is unlikely/likely to succeed: »In a case like this, the odds are against the defendant. Main Entry: ↑odds …   Financial and business terms

  • the odds are sb's favour — the odds are against sb/in sb s favour ► someone is unlikely/likely to succeed: »In a case like this, the odds are against the defendant. Main Entry: ↑odds …   Financial and business terms

  • (the) odds are stacked in your favour — the cards/odds are stacked in your ˈfavour idiom you are likely to succeed because the conditions are good and you have an advantage Main entry: ↑stackedidiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • 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

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