P 可能性，机会the probability that sth will or will not happen

　odds　作为名词的基本意思是“可能性，机会”，可指事情发生的可能性，也可指打赌时用数字表示的机会、可能性。

　beat the ～　战胜不利条件
　give ～　打赌，猜测
　fearful ～　可怕的力量悬殊
　long ～　极不相等的机会
　against ～　克服困难
　over the ～　不大可能
　within the ～　可能

　It is long odds against his coming home this summer.　今年夏天他回家的可能性极小。
　The odds are 5 to 1 that she will win.　她获胜的机会是五比一。

 ♣ against all odds
　尽管很困难　in spite of difficulties
　Against all odds, he finished the work.　尽管很困难，他仍完成了这项工作。
　He will succeed against all odds.　他将会克服困难获得成功。
 ♣ at odds with
　与…不和，与…争吵　in disagreement with
　She is at odds with her boss.　她与上司不和。
 ♣ it〔that〕 makes no odds
　无多大差别it〔that〕　makes no difference
　Whether they go or stay, it makes no odds.　他们是去是留都没多大关系。
 ♣ odds and ends
　零碎东西　small articles of various kinds, without much value
　We bought a few odds and ends.　我们买了一些零碎的东西。

　［同义词］ chance