against all odds

USAGE SUMMARY

"against all odds" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to talk about something that happened even though the chances of it happening were low or the circumstances were very difficult. For example, "The team won the championship against all odds, with no budget and a very young team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is art made against all odds.

The Economist

Because he made it against all odds.

The New Yorker

There were, against all odds, no breakdowns.

The New York Times

Against all odds, he agreed.

The New Yorker

Against all odds, it did.

The New York Times

Against all odds, you win.

The Guardian - Opinion

Against all odds, it worked.

The Washington Post

And root, against all odds, George Vecsey writes.

The New York Times

And we resist that against all odds.

The Guardian - Arts

And, against all odds, I loved him.

The New Yorker

But against all odds, it did.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "against all odds" to emphasize the unexpected or improbable nature of an achievement. It adds dramatic flair to your writing and highlights the magnitude of the challenge overcome.

Common error

Avoid using "against all odds" for minor inconveniences or easily surmountable challenges. The phrase is most effective when describing situations with genuinely significant obstacles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "against all odds" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to describe how something was achieved despite facing significant challenges. Ludwig confirms its proper usage and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "against all odds" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys the idea of achieving success despite facing significant challenges. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and widespread use. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it lends emphasis to remarkable achievements. To enhance your writing, use it to underscore unexpected triumphs, but avoid applying it to trivial situations. Alternatives like ""defying expectations"" or ""in the face of adversity"" can provide nuanced variations of the same core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

against the odds

A more concise version of the original phrase with the same core meaning.

contrary to expectation

Highlights the difference between what was anticipated and what actually happened.

defying expectations

This alternative focuses on the surprise element of achieving something unexpected.

in the face of adversity

This phrase emphasizes the presence of difficult circumstances that were overcome.

overcoming adversity

Focuses on the action of successfully navigating difficult circumstances.

despite insurmountable obstacles

Highlights the perceived impossibility of the challenges faced.

improbably

A shorter, adverbial form that directly states the unlikelihood of the event.

achieving the impossible

This phrase emphasizes the extreme difficulty and seeming impossibility of the accomplishment.

bucking the trend

This phrase implies a resistance to a prevailing pattern or expectation.

with little hope

Emphasizes the lack of optimism surrounding the possibility of success.

FAQs

How can I use "against all odds" in a sentence?

You can use "against all odds" to describe situations where success was highly improbable but still achieved. For example, "The team won the championship "against all odds"."

What are some alternatives to "against all odds"?

Some alternatives include "defying expectations", "in the face of adversity", or "despite insurmountable obstacles", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "against the odds" or "against all odds"?

"Against the odds" and ""against all odds"" are both correct and largely interchangeable, with the latter emphasizing a greater level of improbability.

What does it mean when something happens "against all odds"?

It means that something happened despite facing seemingly impossible or highly improbable circumstances, indicating a significant achievement or a surprising outcome.