overwhelming odds

USAGE SUMMARY

"overwhelming odds" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means that a situation or task is very difficult or almost impossible to achieve. Example: Despite facing overwhelming odds, the underdog team managed to win the championship.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Overwhelming odds are it eventually will).

The New York Times

Henry had won against overwhelming odds.

Britannica

The overwhelming odds are that he's thinking of something funnier.

The New Yorker

Despite overwhelming odds, he and Tosia managed to escape.

The New Yorker

He did not like to move unless overwhelming odds precluded resistance.

The New York Times

The picture they paint is of stoic defiance in the face of overwhelming odds.

The New Yorker

Despite the overwhelming odds, the imam and his people decided to stand and fight.

The New York Times

Captivity narratives are tales of triumphant survival in the face of overwhelming odds.

The New York Times - Books

"They were in the face of overwhelming odds and force," he said.

The Washington Post

Why did these three teams succeed in the face of the overwhelming odds against them?

Harvard Business Review

Freddie Fox makes Rostand a charmingly harassed hero who, against overwhelming odds, creates a hit.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing situations with very low chances of success, using "overwhelming odds" is a dramatic and accurate way to capture the difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "overwhelming odds" when the situation is genuinely impossible. The phrase implies a small chance of success, however unlikely. Use "impossible task" instead if there's no chance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overwhelming odds" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as an object of a preposition (e.g., 'against overwhelming odds') or as a subject complement. Ludwig AI confirms its conventional usage in expressing situations with very low probabilities of success.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

17%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "overwhelming odds" is a widely used and grammatically sound expression that denotes a situation where success is highly improbable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly employed across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia, to emphasize the magnitude of challenges. While the odds suggest failure, the phrase doesn't rule out the possibility of success, differentiating it from expressions like "impossible task". When writing, it's crucial to consider the degree of improbability and avoid using the phrase if success is genuinely unattainable. Alternatives like "long shot" or "uphill battle" can provide similar, yet nuanced, alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insurmountable challenges

This phrase emphasizes the impossibility of overcoming the challenges, suggesting a higher degree of difficulty than "overwhelming odds".

uphill battle

Implies a struggle against continuous resistance, suggesting a prolonged effort against "overwhelming odds".

formidable obstacles

Focuses on the obstacles being impressive and difficult to overcome, shifting from probability to the nature of the barrier.

slim chance

Focuses on the low probability of success, offering a more concise way to express the unlikelihood implied by "overwhelming odds".

long shot

Describes a situation with a very low probability of success, similar to facing "overwhelming odds".

impossible task

This alternative emphasizes the perceived impossibility of the task at hand, highlighting the difficulty.

daunting prospects

Highlights the intimidating nature of the future or potential outcomes, similar to the fear associated with "overwhelming odds".

grave difficulties

Emphasizes the seriousness and weight of the difficulties, implying that the "overwhelming odds" are not just numerous but also severe.

adverse circumstances

Shifts the focus to the unfavorable conditions, rather than the odds themselves, providing a broader perspective on the challenge.

unequal contest

This highlights the imbalance and unfairness inherent in the situation, emphasizing the disadvantage faced.

FAQs

How can I use "overwhelming odds" in a sentence?

You can use "overwhelming odds" to describe a situation where success is highly improbable but still possible. For example: "Despite the "insurmountable challenges", they persevered against "overwhelming odds"."

What's a good alternative to "overwhelming odds"?

Alternatives include "uphill battle", "long shot", or "slim chance" depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "overwhelming odd" instead of "overwhelming odds"?

No, the correct and idiomatic expression is "overwhelming odds". "Odd" is singular, while "odds" refers to the probability or chances, which are inherently plural in this context.

What does it mean to face "overwhelming odds"?

To face "overwhelming odds" means to confront a situation where the chances of success are extremely low due to significant disadvantages or challenges. It suggests a difficult and improbable struggle.