Quick answer: “Against all odds” means succeeding despite very low chances — achieving what seemed nearly impossible.
Against all odds describes achieving something despite the probability being heavily stacked against success. It highlights the difficulty of the obstacles faced and the determination required to overcome them, celebrating triumph over what seemed almost impossible circumstances. It is almost always used admiringly.
Meaning
When someone succeeds "against all odds", they have done something that most people — or even mathematics — predicted they would fail at. The phrase conveys both the magnitude of the challenge and the impressiveness of the result. It is a high-praise expression, suggesting that the person showed extraordinary determination, skill, or luck to achieve their goal.
The phrase is widely used in sports commentary to describe underdog victories, in biography to honour people who overcame illness or poverty, and in journalism to describe surprising political or business outcomes. It functions as an adverbial phrase modifying verbs such as "succeed", "survive", "win", and "triumph".
Origin and History
The phrase comes from gambling, where "the odds" refers to the calculated probability of a particular outcome. Bookmakers and gamblers spoke of odds being "in your favour" or "against you". When the odds were against someone, success was statistically unlikely. The expression "against all odds" therefore originally meant "despite the probability being entirely unfavourable".
By the 19th century the phrase had moved well beyond gambling into everyday speech, used to celebrate unlikely military victories, improbable medical recoveries, and unexpected business successes. In 1984, Phil Collins popularised the phrase with his Grammy-winning song of the same name, cementing it as a widely recognised expression in English-speaking cultures worldwide. Reference works such as the Cambridge Dictionary catalogue thousands of such figurative expressions, showing how idiomatic meanings take shape over time.
Examples in Context
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| Against all odds, the 100-to-one outsider crossed the finish line first. | Horse racing, surprise victory |
| She built a successful business against all odds, starting with just £200 and a borrowed laptop. | Entrepreneurship, perseverance |
| The doctors said he might never walk again, but against all odds he ran a half-marathon the following spring. | Medical recovery, inspiration |
| The rescue team found survivors against all odds after seventy-two hours beneath the rubble. | Emergency, survival |
| Their friendship survived distance, disagreement, and decades — against all odds, it only grew stronger. | Personal relationship |
| Against all odds, the bill passed with a majority no political analyst had predicted. | Politics, unexpected result |
Common Mistakes
Mistakes to Avoid
He won the tournament against all odds because he was the best player.
He won the tournament against all odds despite a knee injury that nearly stopped him competing. — Use the phrase only when the success was genuinely unlikely, not for expected winners.
Against all the odds, she passed her driving test.
Against all odds, she passed her driving test. — Both "against all odds" and "against all the odds" exist, but "against all odds" (without "the") is the standard international form.
She succeeded again all odds.
She succeeded against all odds. — The preposition is "against", not "again" — a common pronunciation-based spelling error.
A Short Dialogue
Coach: "Nobody believed we could beat the defending champions. We were ranked twelfth."
Reporter: "But you did it. How does it feel?"
Coach: "Incredible. These players fought against all odds and never stopped believing."
Reporter: "What's your message for other underdogs out there?"
Coach: "The odds are just numbers. Heart is what matters."
Practice
Similar Idioms
Practice English Idioms
Use these exercises to master idioms in context:
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Quick Check: Against all odds
2 questions — test what you just learned.
1. What does “Against all odds” mean?
2. Complete the sentence: “_____, the 100-to-one outsider crossed the finish line first.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "against all odds" mean?
"Against all odds" means succeeding or surviving despite very low chances of doing so. It describes an achievement that seemed almost impossible given the circumstances, obstacles, or competition involved.
Where does "against all odds" come from?
The expression originates from gambling, where "odds" referred to the calculated probability of a particular outcome. If the odds were heavily against you, success seemed mathematically unlikely.
Can you give an example of "against all odds" in a sentence?
"Against all odds, the tiny startup outbid three global corporations and won the contract." Another: "She recovered fully from the injury against all odds and competed at the Olympics the following year."
Is "against all odds" formal or informal?
It is neutral to slightly informal. It is widely used in journalism, sports reporting, biographical writing, and motivational contexts. It is acceptable in most registers, though it can feel clichéd in formal academic writing.
What CEFR level is "against all odds"?
B2. The phrase requires understanding the concept of "odds" in the sense of probability, which upper-intermediate learners generally have. The image is vivid and motivational.
Is "against all odds" positive or negative?
It is strongly positive. It celebrates perseverance and unexpected triumph. It is almost always used to praise or honour someone who overcame great difficulties to succeed.
What are common mistakes with "against all odds"?
Common errors include adding "the" ("against all the odds"), using it for easy achievements, or misspelling "against" as "again" due to pronunciation.
What idioms are similar to "against all odds"?
Similar expressions include "against the odds", "in the face of adversity", "defying expectations", "beating the odds", and "pulling off the impossible". All describe unlikely success.
Can "against all odds" be used in writing?
Yes, it is especially common in journalism, biography, sports writing, and inspirational content. For formal academic writing, prefer "despite unfavourable conditions" or "in spite of significant obstacles".
How do I practise idioms like "against all odds"?
Think of a real story of unlikely success — in history, sport, or your own life — and practise retelling it using "against all odds". LexFizz Flash Cards can help you remember the phrase in context.