face difficult odds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'face difficult odds' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are discussing a situation where someone is up against seemingly impossible challenges or obstacles. For example, "The small start-up faced difficult odds to succeed in a crowded market, but eventually they made it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. Townsend will also face difficult odds.

The New York Times

One of the biggest takeaways from the speech was that founders need to be resilient and keep trying, even when they face difficult odds.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Ms. Clark faces difficult odds.

The New York Times

Ms. Hochul has faced difficult odds before.

The New York Times

G.M., however, still faces difficult odds of restructuring outside of bankruptcy court.

The New York Times

DAVID CREEGAN faced difficult odds when it came to cracking the crowded lineup of television detectives.

The New York Times

This can be very disheartening for students, who are already facing difficult odds with distance learning.

Science Magazine

The Chronicle noted that O'Rourke faces difficult odds.

Huffington Post

"We tried to be really clear in the document that, like it or not, the Tea Party really _did _have significant accomplishments — facing more difficult odds than we face today — and that it's worth thinking about what parts of their strategy and tactics really enabled that," Levin said.

The New Yorker

His resilience in the face of difficult odds has impressed many.

The Economist

In the face of difficult odds, Mr. Romney's advisers said, he had been the individual raising their morale whenever it sagged.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "face difficult odds", ensure the context clearly establishes what those odds are. Be specific about the challenges to enhance the impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "face difficult odds" when the challenges are minor or easily overcome. This phrase is best reserved for situations involving significant adversity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "face difficult odds" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used as part of a larger clause within a sentence. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its role in describing a situation where someone or something encounters significant challenges.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "face difficult odds" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is used to describe situations where success is unlikely due to significant challenges. While not extremely common, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines the specific obstacles involved. Despite its validity, it's essential to avoid overstating the difficulty and reserve the phrase for genuinely challenging situations. Furthermore, Ludwig offers a range of alternative phrases, such as "encounter challenging circumstances" or "confront tough challenges", which can be used to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confront tough challenges

Substitutes "difficult odds" with "tough challenges", maintaining a similar level of intensity.

encounter challenging circumstances

Replaces the direct confrontation with a more general term for experiencing hardship.

grapple with tough realities

Emphasizes the harshness and inescapability of the situation.

struggle against adversity

Emphasizes the ongoing struggle against unfavorable conditions.

contend with unfavorable prospects

Highlights the negative outlook associated with the situation.

be up against steep competition

Focuses specifically on competition as the source of the "difficult odds".

meet with considerable resistance

Highlights the opposition or obstacles encountered.

navigate trying times

Suggests a need for careful maneuvering through a period of hardship.

endure hardship

Focuses on the act of enduring difficult conditions.

deal with long shots

Focuses on situations where success is improbable.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "face difficult odds" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives such as "encounter challenging circumstances", "confront tough challenges", or "struggle against adversity" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "face difficult odds" in formal writing?

Yes, "face difficult odds" is suitable for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and widely understood. However, ensure that the tone aligns with the overall formality of your piece.

What does it mean to "face difficult odds"?

To "face difficult odds" means to confront a situation where the chances of success are low due to significant challenges or obstacles.

What are some common synonyms for "face difficult odds"?

Some common synonyms include "be up against steep competition", "deal with long shots", and "meet with considerable resistance". The best choice depends on the specific context.