defy all odds

USAGE SUMMARY

"defy all odds" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to go against all expectations and overcome difficult circumstances. Example: Despite being the underdog, the team managed to defy all odds and win the championship. Another example: Against all odds, she managed to graduate with honors despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He convinced her that she could do it, saying, "You are going to defy all odds," she recalled.

The New York Times

But Curry and his Warriors – the kind of team that can make a last-second, 32ft overtime game-winner look effortless and celebrate before their teammate even shoots the ball – seem to defy all odds.

The Guardian - Sport

The resurrection and survival of Slovakia continues to defy all odds, as well as many international expectations.

Huffington Post

Teaching how to defy all odds no matter where you are in life to build a life and business you can be proud of.

Huffington Post

You will cheer his mindset as you watch him defy all odds and walk in the clouds while hundreds cheer 110 feet below.

Huffington Post

But the film's first trailer somehow managed to defy all odds and wound up looking pretty cool, though it was also pretty heavy on space battles and light on plot.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The Evening Standard described Hewson's style as "the antithesis of bling" and columnist Amanda Brunker wrote that at age 50 her attractive appearance "seems to defy all the odds" given her hectic lifestyle.

Wikipedia

Looking back on his impressive roster of restaurants including Liverpool House, Au Pied de Cochon, Sugar Shack, M. Wells Steakhouse, the Claddagh Room, and Catch John's dream projects are the ones that defy all the odds, like the Claddagh Room, which "was a crusty old place that had no customers, Joe Beef was in the ghetto of Montreal, Ship to Shore was in the middle of nowhere.

Vice

MetroStars goalkeeper Mike Ammann has defied all odds.

The New York Times - Sports

In the end, Marivaux shows us that love defies all odds and rules.

Princeton University

After 61 weeks in stores, Adele's "21" (XL/Columbia) is still defying all odds.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "defy all odds" when you want to emphasize the improbability of a positive outcome or the surmounting of significant obstacles. This phrase adds impact to descriptions of achievements.

Common error

Avoid using "defy all odds" for everyday accomplishments or situations where the challenges are not genuinely significant. This can dilute the phrase's impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defy all odds" functions as a verb phrase used to describe an action of overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "defy all odds" is a powerful expression used to describe overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges. Grammatically correct and marked as common by Ludwig AI, this phrase is most frequently found in News & Media sources. While it's acceptable in both neutral and slightly formal registers, it's important to avoid overuse in trivial situations. Related phrases include "beat the odds", "overcome adversity", and "triumph against the odds". When writing, use "defy all odds" to highlight remarkable achievements and avoid diluting its impact with mundane accomplishments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beat the odds

A more colloquial way of saying "defy all odds", emphasizing success against expectations.

succeed against the odds

Directly states the success achieved while defying the odds.

prevail against all expectations

Emphasizes prevailing or succeeding despite what is expected.

triumph against the odds

Highlights the successful outcome of defying difficult circumstances.

overcome adversity

Focuses on overcoming difficult or challenging situations, similar to defying odds.

rise above challenges

Emphasizes overcoming obstacles and difficulties.

achieve the impossible

Focuses on attaining something deemed not possible, which aligns with defying expectations.

turn the tables

Implies reversing a disadvantageous situation, thus defying the expected outcome.

break the mold

Focuses on acting differently than what is expected or traditionally done.

fly in the face of convention

Highlights defying established norms or practices.

FAQs

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

You can use "defy all odds" to describe a situation where someone succeeds despite facing significant challenges. For example, "The team managed to "beat the odds" and win the championship".

What does it mean to "defy all odds"?

To "defy all odds" means to achieve something that was considered highly improbable or impossible given the circumstances. It implies overcoming significant obstacles and exceeding expectations.

What's a less formal way to say "defy all odds"?

Less formal alternatives include "beat the odds" or "triumph against the odds", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "defies all odds" instead of "defy all odds"?

Yes, "defies all odds" is correct when referring to a singular subject in the present tense. For example, "He "overcomes adversity" and defies all odds".