odds
/ɒdz/plural noun
1- the ratio between the amounts staked by the parties to a bet, based on the expected probability either way赔率（指根据输赢概率得出的各赌家所下赌注大小的比率）：
with Nicer starting at odds of 8-1
在奈色儿以8比1的赔率开始赌赛的情况下
it is possible for the race to be won at very long odds.
可能会以很大赔率赢得比赛。
1.1
- （一般作the odds）the chances or likelihood of something happening or being the case机会, 可能性：
the odds are that he is no longer alive
可能他已经死了
the odds against this ever happening are high.
这种情况永远不会发生的可能性很大。
1.2
- （一般作the odds）the balance of advantage; superiority in strength, power, or resources优势平衡, 势均力敌; （力量、权力或资源上的）优势：
she clung to the lead against all the odds
尽管困难重重, 她还是坚持着领先地位
the odds were overwhelmingly in favour of the banks rather than the customer.
优势几乎完全在银行这一边而不是客户那一边。
短语
at odds
- in conflict or at variance矛盾; 不一致：
his behaviour is at odds with the interests of the company.
他的行为与公司的利益不一致。
by all odds
- N. Amer. Certainly〈北美〉肯定。
it makes no odds
- informal, chiefly Brit. it does not matter〈非正式, 主英〉没有关系, 无关紧要。
- ORIGIN: from an earlier use of odds in the sense 'difference in advantage or effect'.
lay（或give）odds
1
- offer a bet with odds favourable to the other better（打赌时）让对方一筹。
1.1
- figurative be very sure about something〈喻〉非常肯定：
I'd lay odds that the person responsible is an insider.
我敢打赌当事人一定是内部的人。
over the odds
- Brit. above what is generally considered acceptable, especially for a price〈英〉（尤指价格）超过正常的：
you could be paying over the odds for perfume.
你有可能为香水多付钱。
take odds
- offer a bet with odds unfavourable to the other better占优势。
what's the odds?
- informal what does it matter?〈非正式〉那有什么关系？
- ORIGIN: from an earlier sense of odds; compare with it makes no odds.
词源
early 16th cent.: apparently the plural of the obsolete noun odd 'odd number or odd person'.