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
Recent Examples on the Web
The odds are stacked against any team to win the World Series.
—
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2024
The odds are stacked against Timothée by being asked to represent this period that is so untouchably iconic.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 30 July 2024
There’s always a chance of twists in the time between Friday and May 29, when the session ends, but the odds are stacked against the proposals, including Geren’s amendment that was short of the votes needed to advance to the Senate.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 May 2024
The odds are stacked against both men, who eventually come face to face just as the series premiere ends.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for odds are stacked against (someone) 
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.
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2024
The odds are stacked against Timothée by being asked to represent this period that is so untouchably iconic.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 30 July 2024
There’s always a chance of twists in the time between Friday and May 29, when the session ends, but the odds are stacked against the proposals, including Geren’s amendment that was short of the votes needed to advance to the Senate.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 May 2024
The odds are stacked against both men, who eventually come face to face just as the series premiere ends.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for odds are stacked against (someone)
Dictionary Entries Near odds are stacked against (someone)
Cite this Entry
“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 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share