odds 
/ˈɑ:dz/ noun
/ˈɑ:dz/ noun [plural] 1 : the possibility that something will happen : the chance that one thing will happen instead of a different thing
▪ She wanted to improve her odds [=chances] of winning. ▪ They believe that surgery may increase his odds of survival. [=may make it more likely that he will survive] ▪ There's a chance it could rain, but odds are that it'll be sunny tomorrow. [=it is more likely to be sunny than rainy tomorrow] ▪ The team has made some major improvements, but they still face long odds. [=they still are not likely to win] — often used with the ▪ The odds are good that he'll survive. [=he is likely to survive] ▪ What are the odds of winning? ▪ What are the odds that they'll be there on time? ▪ Smoking increases the odds of getting lung cancer. ▪ The odds are in our favor. [=it is likely that we will succeed] ▪ She knew that the odds were against her. [=she knew that she was not likely to succeed] ▪ It could rain tomorrow, but the odds are against it. [=it probably will not rain] ▪ The odds are in favor of a major storm this weekend. [=a major storm is likely this weekend] 2 : conditions that make it difficult for something to happen
▪ They fought against great/heavy/impossible/overwhelming odds and won. ▪ He was able to do it, against all odds. [=even though it was very difficult and unlikely] — often used with the ▪ They defied/overcame the odds. ▪ Despite/against the odds, she has survived breast cancer. ▪ I tried to beat the odds. [=to succeed even though I was not likely to succeed] 3 : two numbers that show how much a person can win by betting a certain amount of money
▪ I bet $1,000 at 4–1 odds. If the horse I bet on wins, I will walk away with $4,000. ▪ winning at odds of 6–1
▪ She wanted to improve her odds [=chances] of winning. ▪ They believe that surgery may increase his odds of survival. [=may make it more likely that he will survive] ▪ There's a chance it could rain, but odds are that it'll be sunny tomorrow. [=it is more likely to be sunny than rainy tomorrow] ▪ The team has made some major improvements, but they still face long odds. [=they still are not likely to win] — often used with the ▪ The odds are good that he'll survive. [=he is likely to survive] ▪ What are the odds of winning? ▪ What are the odds that they'll be there on time? ▪ Smoking increases the odds of getting lung cancer. ▪ The odds are in our favor. [=it is likely that we will succeed] ▪ She knew that the odds were against her. [=she knew that she was not likely to succeed] ▪ It could rain tomorrow, but the odds are against it. [=it probably will not rain] ▪ The odds are in favor of a major storm this weekend. [=a major storm is likely this weekend]
▪ They fought against great/heavy/impossible/overwhelming odds and won. ▪ He was able to do it, against all odds. [=even though it was very difficult and unlikely] — often used with the ▪ They defied/overcame the odds. ▪ Despite/against the odds, she has survived breast cancer. ▪ I tried to beat the odds. [=to succeed even though I was not likely to succeed]
▪ I bet $1,000 at 4–1 odds. If the horse I bet on wins, I will walk away with $4,000. ▪ winning at odds of 6–1
at odds
: not agreeing with each other : in a state of disagreement
▪ The parents and teachers are still at odds (about/over what to teach the students). — often + with ▪ The two groups have long been at odds with each other. ▪ He was completely at odds [=he completely disagreed] with the way the problem was being handled. ▪ The results of the study are at odds with our previous findings.
▪ The parents and teachers are still at odds (about/over what to teach the students). — often + with ▪ The two groups have long been at odds with each other. ▪ He was completely at odds [=he completely disagreed] with the way the problem was being handled. ▪ The results of the study are at odds with our previous findings.
make no odds
Brit, informal — used to say that a choice is not important ▪ It makes no odds [=makes no difference] to me when we leave.
odds are in favor — see 1favor
over the odds
Brit, informal : more than the usual or expected amount
▪ We had to pay over the odds to get good seats for the concert.
▪ We had to pay over the odds to get good seats for the concert.
what's the odds?
Brit, informal — used to say that something is not likely to have an effect or make a difference ▪ He'll do it anyway, so what's the odds [=what's the use] of telling him not to?
