face daunting odds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "face daunting odds" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone is confronted with significant challenges or difficulties. Example: "Despite the fact that they were facing daunting odds, the team remained determined to succeed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Parents who want their kids in L.A.'s most competitive magnet schools face daunting odds.

Los Angeles Times

Coalitions have a unique ability to increase the confidence of their members as they face daunting odds.

Huffington Post

Still, he will face daunting odds if he joins the fray.

Independent

Robyn Meredith (NYT) THE DEMOCRATS NO HOME-COURT ADVANTAGE: Even in his home state, Missouri, former Senator Bill Bradley appears to face daunting odds in his race against Vice President Al Gore.

The New York Times

You may face daunting odds. .

Los Angeles Times

High school seniors vying for acceptance at UC Berkeley face daunting odds.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The new agency, Brown Kelly O'Neill & Partners, based in New York, faces daunting odds.

The New York Times

In his remarks Thursday, Mr. Obama acknowledged that he faced daunting odds.

The New York Times

Even economists who firmly support cap and trade are not sure whether the California program should be considered the vanguard of a distant revolution or a rebel stronghold facing daunting odds.

The New York Times - Science

Raymond's version, for all its high-mindedness, faced daunting odds in a city of 500,000 (mostly living below 14th Street), which already had dozens of papers and teemed with businesses, crowded tenements, piers lined with ships and muddy streets awash with adventurers, greenhorns, whiskey-soaked toughs and thundering preachers.

The New York Times

The Recall Anh Cao Committee faces daunting odds.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For impactful writing, follow the phrase with an explanation of why the odds are daunting. Doing so increases specificity and adds valuable context for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "face daunting odds" for minor inconveniences. The term 'daunting' implies a significant level of difficulty and potential for failure. Overusing it dilutes its impact and can make your writing seem hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "face daunting odds" functions as a verbal phrase, typically part of a larger clause. It describes the act of confronting a situation characterized by considerable challenges and a low probability of success. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "face daunting odds" is a commonly used phrase to describe confronting challenging situations with a low probability of success. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and prevalence across various authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Economist. The phrase functions as a verbal phrase, conveys significant challenges, and has a neutral register. When employing this phrase, ensure the context emphasizes the adversity and understand that alternatives like "encounter significant challenges" or "confront formidable obstacles" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encounter significant challenges

This alternative focuses on the act of encountering difficulties, emphasizing the challenges themselves rather than the probability of failure.

confront formidable obstacles

This phrase uses stronger terms like 'formidable' and 'obstacles' to intensify the sense of difficulty and obstruction.

grapple with immense difficulties

This alternative suggests a struggle with very large difficulties, emphasizing the effort required to overcome them.

be up against tough challenges

A more informal way to say facing difficult circumstances, focusing on the act of opposing or competing against challenges.

contend with overwhelming adversity

This phrase uses 'overwhelming adversity' to stress the magnitude and impact of the hardship being faced.

navigate considerable hurdles

Focuses on the act of overcoming difficulties, framing the challenges as 'hurdles' that need to be carefully navigated.

tackle uphill battles

This metaphor describes the challenges as 'uphill battles', implying a constant and arduous struggle.

brave tremendous hardships

This option highlights courage in the face of great difficulties, focusing on resilience and fortitude.

meet with considerable resistance

This phrase emphasizes the opposition or resistance encountered while trying to achieve a goal.

take on herculean tasks

Comparing the challenges to tasks of mythical proportions, emphasizing extreme difficulty and effort.

FAQs

How can I use "face daunting odds" in a sentence?

You can use "face daunting odds" to describe situations where success is unlikely due to significant challenges. For example, "The team knew they would "face daunting odds" in the championship game, but they were determined to try their best".

What can I say instead of "face daunting odds"?

You can use alternatives like "encounter significant challenges", "confront formidable obstacles", or "grapple with immense difficulties" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "face daunting odds" or "overcome daunting odds"?

The choice depends on the context. "Face daunting odds" describes the situation before any action is taken. "Overcome daunting odds" implies that the challenges have been successfully navigated. For example, if someone successfully navigated a crisis you should say overcome.

What makes the "odds" described as "daunting"?

The odds are "daunting" because the chances of success are slim due to the size and difficulty of the problems. Factors contributing can include lack of resources, intense competition, or insurmountable requirements.