face tough odds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "face tough odds" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing situations where someone is confronted with difficult challenges or unfavorable conditions. Example: "Despite facing tough odds, the team managed to secure a victory in the final minutes of the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Women in higher education face tough odds in the race for senior positions.

The Guardian

Because of retirements, Democrats face tough odds in retaining seats in Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, North Dakota and now Indiana.

The New York Times

Mr. Assoulin, whose business there is already well known, believes that the newcomers are a talented mix who face tough odds.

The New York Times

Although national Democrats pledged to pour money and volunteers into a runoff, local party officials said Mr. Martin would face tough odds, with many Libertarians leaning Republican and without Barack Obama at the top of the ticket.

The New York Times

But if the experiences of other Internet firms are any indication, these initiatives face tough odds.

Forbes

These proposals may face tough odds, too, however, CSR Director Antonio Scarpa told his advisory council yesterday.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

In fact, they face tougher odds in some places, like the many college campuses with more women than men.

The New York Times - Science

In reality, the number is closer to 30 or even 35, since the party is likely not only to lose the seats of retiring Democrats in North Carolina, but also to face tougher odds in Arkansas, California, Oklahoma, Indiana, Illinois and perhaps in Arizona, in the district once served by former Representative Gabrielle Giffords.

The New York Times

Even if Clinton's nascent campaign continues to implode, O'Malley is still a pronounced underdog – but he has faced tough odds before.

The Guardian

However, despite this, he has been polling at roughly the margin of error in Iowa and faces tough odds moving forward.

The Guardian

But Professor Kleinfeld, who has conducted extensive interviews with unattached men living in the bush, acknowledged that bachelors looking for love in rural areas of Alaska were still facing tough odds and that mail-order brides were common.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "face tough odds", ensure the context clearly outlines the specific challenges or disadvantages being encountered. This provides a more impactful and informative statement.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the difficulties implied by "face tough odds". Ensure the situation genuinely warrants the description, as overuse can diminish the phrase's impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "face tough odds" functions as a verbal phrase, where "face" acts as a verb and "tough odds" serves as the object. According to Ludwig AI, this construction is commonly used to describe situations involving significant challenges.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science & Research

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "face tough odds" is a versatile expression used to describe situations where individuals or entities encounter significant challenges. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's considered grammatically correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science & Research, this phrase effectively conveys the difficulty and unlikelihood of success in various contexts, from political campaigns to business ventures. While "face tough odds" is a useful phrase, it's important to ensure that the challenges are accurately represented and not exaggerated. For alternative expressions, consider using phrases like "encounter significant challenges" or "contend with steep challenges" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encounter significant challenges

Replaces "face" with "encounter" and "tough odds" with a more general term for challenges.

confront considerable difficulties

Uses "confront" instead of "face" and "difficulties" to replace "odds", adding the adjective "considerable".

meet substantial obstacles

Employs "meet" as a synonym for "face" and "obstacles" for "odds", using "substantial" to describe them.

grapple with formidable hurdles

Substitutes "face" with "grapple with" and "odds" with "hurdles", describing them as "formidable".

contend with steep challenges

Replaces "face" with "contend with" and "tough odds" with "steep challenges".

be up against difficult circumstances

Replaces "face" with "be up against" and "tough odds" with "difficult circumstances".

navigate arduous trials

Substitutes "face" with "navigate" and "odds" with "trials", describing them as "arduous".

endure demanding tribulations

Replaces "face" with "endure" and "odds" with "tribulations", describing them as "demanding".

brave severe adversities

Uses "brave" instead of "face" and "adversities" for "odds", adding the adjective "severe".

tackle onerous problems

Employs "tackle" as a synonym for "face" and "problems" for "odds", using "onerous" to describe them.

FAQs

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

You can use "face tough odds" to describe situations where someone or something is likely to struggle due to unfavorable circumstances. For example: "The new business will "face tough odds" in the current economic climate."

What's a less common way to say "face tough odds"?

Alternatives include phrases like "encounter significant challenges" or "contend with steep challenges", which convey a similar meaning while using different vocabulary.

Is it better to say "face tough odds" or "face challenging odds"?

Both "face tough odds" and "face challenging odds" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to express. "Tough odds" emphasizes the difficulty and unlikelihood of success, while "challenging odds" highlights the stimulating and demanding nature of the situation.

What does it mean when someone is "facing tough odds"?

When someone is "facing tough odds", it means they are in a situation where success is unlikely or difficult to achieve due to significant challenges or disadvantages. It suggests a situation requiring resilience and determination.