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odds
(redirected from took odds)

   Also found in: Medical, Legal 0.02 sec.
odds  (dz)
pl.n.
1. A certain number of points given beforehand to a weaker side in a contest to equalize the chances of all participants.
2.
a. The ratio of the probability of an event's occurring to the probability of its not occurring.
b. The likelihood of the occurrence of one thing rather than the occurrence of another thing, as in a contest: The odds are that she will get the nomination on the first ballot.
3. Games A ratio expressing the amount by which the stake of one bettor differs from that of an opposing bettor.
4. An amount or a degree by which one thing exceeds or falls short of another: won the contest by considerable odds.
Idioms:
at odds
In disagreement; in conflict: "The artist and the self-critic . . . are, with a few felicitous exceptions, forever at odds" (Joyce Carol Oates).
by all odds
In every possible way; unquestionably: By all odds it is the best film of the year.

[Pl. of odd.]

odds [ɒdz]
pl n
1. (Group Games / Gambling, except Cards) (foll by on or against) the probability, expressed as a ratio, that a certain event will take place the odds against the outsider are a hundred to one
2. (Group Games / Gambling, except Cards) the amount, expressed as a ratio, by which the wager of one better is greater than that of another he was offering odds of five to one
3. the likelihood that a certain state of affairs will be found to be so the odds are that he is drunk
4. the chances or likelihood of success in a certain undertaking their odds were very poor after it rained
5. (General Sporting Terms) an equalizing allowance, esp one given to a weaker side in a contest
6. the advantage that one contender is judged to have over another the odds are on my team
7. Brit a significant difference (esp in the phrase it makes no odds)
at odds
a.  on bad terms
b.  appearing not to correspond or match the silvery hair was at odds with her youthful shape
(Group Games / Gambling, except Cards)
give or lay odds to offer a bet with favourable odds
(Group Games / Gambling, except Cards)
take odds to accept such a bet
over the odds
a.  more than is expected, necessary, etc. he got two pounds over the odds for this job
b.  unfair or excessive
what's the odds? Brit informal what difference does it make?

odds


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Defoe's decision to rejoin Tottenham is already good news for some Bet365 punters who took odds of 11-4 about him being reunited with the Lilywhites this winter.
He took odds of 9/2 for England to win and gets pounds 82,500 if Michael Vaughan, right, leads his side to victory.
Weird and wonderful bets such as the likelihood of rebuilding Hadrian's Wall (1000-1), whether the Scottish parliament building will be closed down within five years (6-4) and whether a comet called 'Swift-Tuttle' will collide with Earth in the 22nd century (on which David Christie of Glasgow took odds of 5000-1) keep bookies busy.
 
 
 
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