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Long Odds

What Does "Long Odds" Mean?

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"Long odds" is an English idiom. It means "a situation or bet that has a low probability of success."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "long odds" used in a sentence:
  • It's long odds that we'll make it to the finals, but we should still try.
  • Investing in that startup was long odds, but it paid off handsomely.
  • With such long odds against them, everyone was surprised by the team's victory.
meaning for long odds

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Long Odds" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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