odds

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

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, 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 also: end

pay over the odds (British & Australian)

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

See also: over, pay

put someone at odds with someone

be at odds - to disagree. His views on Europe put him at odds with the rest of the party.

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against the 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 someone/something)

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