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 the formerly incarcerated, and Miller and Oliver hope to improve those chances with the JUMP project, named after Miller’s memoir.
—
Malaika Jabali, Essence, 9 Feb. 2025
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
See all Example Sentences for odds are stacked against (someone) 
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Malaika Jabali, Essence, 9 Feb. 2025
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
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 22 Feb. 2025.
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