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odds - definition and synonyms


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noun [plural]     odds pronunciation in British English
  1. 1
    the chances of something happening
    the odds of doing something:


    (the) odds are (that) (=it is likely that):

    The odds are they won’t succeed.

    the odds are in favour of something/(stacked) against something (=it is likely/unlikely to happen):

    The odds were always in favour of a South African victory.

    the odds are in someone’s favour/(stacked) against someone (=they are likely/unlikely to succeed):


    What are the odds...?:

    What are the odds Jim will show up this time?

  2. 2

    I didn’t bet on the horse because I didn’t like the odds.

    give/lay/offer (someone) odds of something:

    They’re giving odds of 5–1 against a knockout in the first round.

  3. 3
    difficulties or conditions that make success unlikely

    Left alone, they were fighting against overwhelming odds.

    against all (the) odds:

    Against all the odds, we won our case on appeal.




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be reversed; be as if it had never happened

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