odds (redirected from lay odds)

against all odds

despite very low probability; in a most unlikely way. Against all odds, she managed to win the trophy.

See also: against

at odds (with someone) and at odds over something

in opposition to someone; at loggerheads (with someone). Mary is always at odds with her father about how late she can stay out. John and his father are always at odds over what to watch on TV.

give someone odds that...

to propose a sham bet to someone, the implication being that even at favorable odds the outcome will defy the odds. (Often with a negative.) I'll give you odds that you won't be able to order a decent steak at this restaurant.

See also: give

odds and ends

miscellaneous things. There were lots of odds and ends in the attic, but nothing of real value. I had the whole house cleaned out except for a few odds and ends that you might want to keep.

See also: and, end

odds are against one

[for fate] to be against one generally. You can give it a try, but the odds are against you. I know the odds are against me, but I wish to run in the race anyway.

See also: against, one

odds-on favorite

the most popular choice of a wager. Fred is the odds-on favorite for president of the board of trustees.

See also: favorite

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against (all) the odds  also against all odds

if you do or achieve something against all the odds, you do or achieve it although there were a lot of problems and you were not likely to succeed Against all the odds, she conceived her first child at the age of 56. He struggled against the odds to keep his business going during the recession.

See also: against

be at odds

to disagree (often + with ) She's at odds with the mayor over cuts in the department's budget. (often + over ) They're at odds over the funding for the project.

be at odds with something

if one statement or description is at odds with another, it is different when it should be the same Blake's version of events was at odds with the official police report.

odds and ends  (British, American & Australian) also odds and sods (British & Australian informal)

a group of small objects of different types which are not very valuable or important I eventually found my keys buried beneath the odds and ends in the bottom of my bag.

See pay over the odds

See also: and, end

pay over the odds  (British & Australian)

to pay more for something than it is really worth (often + for ) It's a nice enough car but I'm sure she paid over the odds for it.

See also: pay

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against the odds also against all odds

despite many difficulties The team battled against the odds and won the championship in the final weekend. He should be famous given what he accomplished against the odds.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of odds (the likelihood of success expressed as a comparison of two numbers)

See also: against

at odds (with somebody/something) (slightly formal)

in disagreement Such behavior is clearly at odds with what civilized society expects. The two women were hopelessly at odds.