odds

Universal Words noun [pl.] 1 (usually the odds) the degree to which sth is likely to happen: The odds are very much in our favour (= we are likely to succeed). * The odds are heavily against him (= he is not likely to succeed). * The odds are that (= it is likely that) she'll win. * What are the odds (= how likely is it) he won't turn up? 2 something that makes it seem impossible to do or achieve sth: They secured a victory in the face of overwhelming odds. * Against all (the) odds, he made a full recovery. 3 (in betting) the connection between two numbers that shows how much money sb will receive if they win a bet: odds of ten to one (= ten times the amount of money that has been bet by sb will be paid to them if they win) * They are offering long / short odds (= the winnings will be high / low because there is a high / low risk of losing) on the defending champion. * (figurative) I'll lay odds on him getting the job (= I'm sure he will get it). IDIOMS be at odds (with sth) to be different from sth, when the two things should be the same: These findings are at odds with what is going on in the rest of the country. be at odds (with sb) (over / on sth) to disagree with sb about sth: He's always at odds with his father over politics. it makes no odds (spoken, especially BrE) used to say that sth is not important: It makes no odds to me whether you go or stay. over the odds (BrE, informal) more money than you would normally expect: Many collectors are willing to pay over the odds for early examples of his work. moreatSTACKED