defying the odds

USAGE SUMMARY

'defying the odds' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation or person that is succeeding despite overwhelming odds or difficulty. For example, "After months of struggling, she was able to get her business off the ground, defying the odds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But M-Maji seems to be defying the odds.

Stanford University

The 73-year-old trainer specializes in defying the odds.

The New York Times - Sports

Defying the odds has long been Beckham's strongest trait.

The New York Times - Sports

"Certain areas are defying the odds," he said.

The New York Times

(Defying the odds, the show ended up on PBS).

The New York Times

Yet, defying the odds, Filardi did just that.

The Guardian

defying the odds with the conquest of Foreman only he foresaw.

Independent

Those ticket buyers are all thinking they have a shot of defying the odds.

The New York Times

Defying the odds, he first upset the party favorite in a primary.

The New York Times

Safe at Christmas, the league's smallest club, daily defying the odds, suddenly found themselves under pressure.

The Guardian - Sport

But McLouth has a history of defying the odds, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "defying the odds" to highlight a surprising or unexpected success, especially when facing significant challenges or low expectations.

Common error

While "defying the odds" is impactful, avoid using it repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Opt for synonyms like "overcoming adversity" or "triumphing against expectations" to add variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defying the odds" primarily functions as a verbal phrase that often acts as an adjective modifying a noun or pronoun, as seen in many examples provided by Ludwig. The phrase emphasizes the action of overcoming highly improbable circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

13%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Science

13%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "defying the odds" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that describes the act of succeeding despite facing significant challenges or low probabilities. As identified by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and particularly common in News & Media. While synonyms exist that can add variety to your writing, "defying the odds" effectively conveys the sense of overcoming adversity. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and provides ample examples across various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defying expectations

Similar to 'rising above expectations' and 'succeeding against expectations', but shorter.

beating the odds

A more colloquial and emphatic version, suggesting a direct competition against unfavorable chances.

triumphing against the odds

Emphasizes the victory or success achieved, often after a long or difficult struggle.

rising above expectations

Highlights exceeding anticipated performance, often in situations where expectations were low.

succeeding against expectations

Similar to 'rising above expectations' but can imply a quieter, more understated achievement.

overcoming adversity

Focuses on the struggle and hardship faced, rather than the statistical improbability.

against all expectations

Emphasizes surprise and disbelief at the accomplishment, often due to unforeseen challenges.

proving the doubters wrong

Focuses on disproving the negativity of others, rather than merely overcoming statistical obstacles.

outperforming projections

Implies that a measurable target was surpassed, focusing on the achievement of a higher-than-predicted result.

achieving the impossible

A more dramatic and hyperbolic expression, suitable for truly extraordinary accomplishments.

FAQs

How can I use "defying the odds" in a sentence?

Use "defying the odds" to emphasize an unexpected success, like: "The small startup is "defying the odds" and becoming a major player in the industry."

What's a good alternative to "defying the odds"?

Depending on the context, consider using alternatives like "overcoming adversity", "beating the odds", or "triumphing against the odds".

Is it always appropriate to use "defying the odds"?

While grammatically correct, "defying the odds" might be too informal for some formal or academic writing. Choose a more neutral term like "exceeding expectations" in those contexts.

What makes someone or something "defying the odds"?

It generally involves achieving a positive outcome despite facing significant obstacles, long shots, or seemingly insurmountable challenges.