odds

odds
[[t]ɒ̱dz[/t]]
1) N-PLURAL: usu the N You refer to how likely something is to happen as the odds that it will happen.
→ See also odds-on

What are the odds of finding a parking space right outside the door?...

The odds are that you are going to fail.

Syn:
chances
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...

I'm sorry. I just feel as if the odds are stacked up against me.

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...

Finally, late in life and against considerable odds, she became a nun.

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) PHR-ERG: 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.


English dictionary. 2008.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу
Synonyms:
, , / / , ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • odds — S3 [ɔdz US a:dz] n [plural] ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(probability)¦ 2¦(difficulties)¦ 3 be at odds 4¦(horse racing etc)¦ 5 it makes no odds 6 pay over the odds ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1.) ¦(PROBABILITY)¦ the odds how lik …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • odds — [ɒdz ǁ ɑːdz] noun [plural] 1. the odds how likely it is that something will happen: • The odds of us achieving our sales targets are very poor. • The odds are (= it is likely that ) selling will continue. 2. difficulties that make a good result… …   Financial and business terms

  • Odds — stellen in der Wahrscheinlichkeitstheorie und Statistik eine Möglichkeit dar, Wahrscheinlichkeiten anzugeben. Beispielsweise spricht man von einer 1:1 Chance, dass bei einem Münzwurf Kopf erscheint. Mathematisch berechnen sich Odds als Quotienten …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Odds — ([o^]dz), n. sing. & pl. [See {Odd}, a.] 1. Difference in favor of one and against another; excess of one of two things or numbers over the other; inequality; advantage; superiority; hence, excess of chances; probability. The odds are often… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • odds — [ adz ] noun plural ** 1. ) the chances of something happening: the odds of doing something: The odds of getting hit by a falling satellite are very small. (the) odds are (that) (=it is likely that): The odds are they won t succeed. the odds are… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • odds — ► PLURAL NOUN 1) the ratio between the amounts staked by the parties to a bet, based on the expected probability either way. 2) (the odds) the chances of something happening or being the case. 3) (the odds) the balance of advantage; superiority… …   English terms dictionary

  • odds — [ädz] pl.n. [sometimes, esp. formerly, with sing. v.] 1. Archaic inequalities 2. Now Rare difference or amount of difference 3. difference in favor of one side over the other; advantage 4. an equalizing advantage given or received in betting,… …   English World dictionary

  • odds-on — UK US adjective ► thought most likely to happen, succeed, or do a particular thing: odds on to do sth »He is odds on to serve another term as president of the Commission. odds on for sth »Next month looks odds on for a further rise in interest… …   Financial and business terms

  • odds-on — adj 1.) odds on favourite the person, horse etc that is most likely to win a race or other competition 2.) BrE informal very likely it s odds on (that) ▪ It s odds on that she won t come. be odds on to do sth ▪ They must have felt they were odds… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • odds-on — adjective INFORMAL very likely: it is odds on (that): It s odds on that Gerry will miss the meeting again. be odds on to do something: Pearson is odds on to play his last game on Saturday. the odds on favorite the person or animal that people… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Odds On —   First edition cover Author(s) …   Wikipedia

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