against all odds
Meaning: Despite great difficulty or opposition.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “Against all odds, the tiny club reached the cup final.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: "Odds" are the betting chances against something happening. The phrase is common from the 20th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- French: Envers et contre tous — literally: Towards and against all
More idioms — Daily Life
- cold hard cash — Actual money in coins and bills, not credit or promises.
- cherchez la femme — There is probably a woman behind this situation.
- throw money down the drain — To waste money.
- all fired up — Very excited or enthusiastic.
- the oldest trick in the book — A very familiar trick that should not fool anyone.
- at cross purposes — To misunderstand each other or work toward conflicting goals.
More English idioms
- fall into someone's lap — To come to someone without any effort.
- fire in the belly — Strong ambition and drive.
- a slippery slope — A small step that leads to worse and worse consequences.
- snug as a bug in a rug — Very warm and comfortable.
- breathe down someone's neck — To watch someone too closely, or to be close behind them.
- champ at the bit — To be impatient to start.