odds are stacked against (someone)

idiom

—used to describe a situation in which someone does not have a good or fair chance of winning, succeeding, etc.

She felt the odds are stacked against her.

Examples of odds are stacked against (someone) in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and the odds are stacked against either happening, but Friday’s blockbuster trade was all about increasing the chance. —

Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 1 Feb. 2025 History tells you the odds are stacked against them. —

Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2025 The game’s tongue in cheek tone gives it an interesting flavor even if the odds are stacked against player survival. —

Rob Wieland, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025 While the odds are stacked against Gunther, Finn Balor and Damian Priest's hatred for each other is going to give him an avenue to victory. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for odds are stacked against (someone)

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“Odds are stacked against (someone).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/odds%20are%20stacked%20against%20%28someone%29. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.

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