odds
odds /'ɒdz/
1 [N-PLURAL] usu the N
You refer to how likely something is to happen as the odds that it will happen.
What are the odds of finding a parking space right outside the door?...
The odds are that you are going to fail.
see also odds-on
2 [N-PLURAL]
In betting, odds are expressions with numbers such as `10 to 1' and `7 to 2' that show how likely something is thought to be, for example how likely a particular horse is to lose or win a race.
Gavin Jones, who put £25 on Eugene, at odds of 50 to 1, has won £1,250.
3 [PHRASE] usu v-link PHR, oft PHR with n
If someone is at odds with someone else, or if two people are at odds, they are disagreeing or quarrelling with each other.
He was at odds with his Prime Minister...
An adviser said there was no reason why the two countries should remain at odds.
4 [PHRASE] V inflects, PHR n
If you say that the odds are against something or someone, you mean that they are unlikely to succeed.
He reckoned the odds are against the scheme going ahead...
5 [PHRASE] PHR with cl
If something happens against all odds, it happens or succeeds although it seemed impossible or very unlikely.
Some women do manage to achieve business success against all odds...
6 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you say that the odds are in someone's favour, you mean that they are likely to succeed in what they are doing.
His troops will only engage in a ground battle when all the odds are in their favour.
7 [PHRASE] V inflects
To shorten the odds on something happening means to make it more likely to happen. To lengthen the odds means to make it less likely to happen. You can also say that the odds shorten or lengthen.
His reception there shortened the odds that he might be the next Tory leader.odds and ends
[N-PLURAL]
You can refer to a disorganized group of things of various kinds as odds and ends. (INFORMAL)
She put in some clothes, odds and ends, and make-up...
= bits and pieces
1 [N-PLURAL] usu the N
You refer to how likely something is to happen as the odds that it will happen.
What are the odds of finding a parking space right outside the door?...
The odds are that you are going to fail.
see also odds-on
2 [N-PLURAL]
In betting, odds are expressions with numbers such as `10 to 1' and `7 to 2' that show how likely something is thought to be, for example how likely a particular horse is to lose or win a race.
Gavin Jones, who put £25 on Eugene, at odds of 50 to 1, has won £1,250.
3 [PHRASE] usu v-link PHR, oft PHR with n
If someone is at odds with someone else, or if two people are at odds, they are disagreeing or quarrelling with each other.
He was at odds with his Prime Minister...
An adviser said there was no reason why the two countries should remain at odds.
4 [PHRASE] V inflects, PHR n
If you say that the odds are against something or someone, you mean that they are unlikely to succeed.
He reckoned the odds are against the scheme going ahead...
5 [PHRASE] PHR with cl
If something happens against all odds, it happens or succeeds although it seemed impossible or very unlikely.
Some women do manage to achieve business success against all odds...
6 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you say that the odds are in someone's favour, you mean that they are likely to succeed in what they are doing.
His troops will only engage in a ground battle when all the odds are in their favour.
7 [PHRASE] V inflects
To shorten the odds on something happening means to make it more likely to happen. To lengthen the odds means to make it less likely to happen. You can also say that the odds shorten or lengthen.
His reception there shortened the odds that he might be the next Tory leader.odds and ends
[N-PLURAL]
You can refer to a disorganized group of things of various kinds as odds and ends. (INFORMAL)
She put in some clothes, odds and ends, and make-up...
= bits and pieces