facing difficult odds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "facing difficult odds" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone is confronted with challenges or obstacles that make success unlikely. Example: "Despite facing difficult odds, the team managed to pull off an incredible victory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Ms. Clark faces difficult odds.

The New York Times

Mr. Townsend will also face 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

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

The Chronicle noted that O'Rourke faces difficult odds.

Huffington Post

Farmers are facing difficult conditions.

The New York Times

"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

Should the banks that lend money for that production become even more cautious, or should retailers be unable to pay for the clothes that are in stores now, many designers could face increasingly difficult odds of survival.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "facing difficult odds" to convey a sense of challenge and potential for overcoming obstacles. It is most effective when highlighting resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

Common error

Avoid using "facing difficult odds" for minor inconveniences. This phrase is best reserved for situations involving significant challenges or substantial risks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "facing difficult odds" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used to characterize a situation or individual confronting significant challenges. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science & Research

8%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "facing difficult odds" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe situations with significant challenges and low chances of success. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and it appears commonly in News & Media, Science & Research, and Wiki contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the severity of the situation and aim to highlight the perseverance required. Related phrases include "facing an uphill battle" and "struggling against adversity", providing alternative ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Facing an uphill battle

Uses a metaphorical expression to describe the difficulty of the situation.

Encountering challenging circumstances

Replaces "difficult odds" with a more formal and general term for challenging situations.

Swimming against the tide

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the struggle against prevailing forces.

Struggling against adversity

Emphasizes the active effort required to overcome the unfavorable conditions.

Contending with hardship

Focuses on the endurance and resilience needed to deal with the difficult circumstances.

Battling unfavorable conditions

Implies a more intense and active conflict against the odds.

Grappling with obstacles

Highlights the effort to overcome specific barriers or impediments.

Confronting a tough situation

Offers a more straightforward and less dramatic way of expressing the same idea.

Up against it

Provides a more informal and colloquial alternative.

Contending with long shots

Implies a situation with low probability of success

FAQs

What does "facing difficult odds" mean?

The phrase "facing difficult odds" means that someone is in a situation where they are likely to fail because the circumstances are challenging and the chances of success are low.

How can I use "facing difficult odds" in a sentence?

You can use "facing difficult odds" to describe a person, team, or organization that is trying to achieve something despite having many disadvantages or obstacles. For example: "Despite "facing difficult odds", the team managed to win the championship".

What are some alternatives to "facing difficult odds"?

Alternatives to "facing difficult odds" include "facing an uphill battle", "struggling against adversity", or "contending with hardship". These phrases all convey a similar meaning of encountering significant challenges.

Is it better to say "face difficult odds" or "facing difficult odds"?

Both "face difficult odds" and "facing difficult odds" are grammatically correct. "Face difficult odds" is often used as an infinitive verb phrase, while "facing difficult odds" is a gerund or present participle phrase that can act as a noun or part of a continuous verb tense.