overcoming odds
Defying the unlikely
Overcoming odds means succeeding despite unfavorable circumstances or low probability of success.
The phrase typically appears with modifiers emphasizing difficulty: She overcame impossible odds to become the first in her family to graduate college.
To beat the odds or defy the odds carries the same meaning.
The expression draws from gambling, where odds quantify how likely something is to happen.
- underdogPresumed loser beforehand
- triumphResounding, celebrated victory
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- struggleLabored effort against resistance
- uphill battleDifficult prolonged endeavor
resilience · never say die · victory · come from behind · grit · defiance · adversity · uphill · battle · fighting chance · champion · comeback · determination · impossible · longshot · long shot · breakthrough · fighter
- inspiring storieshero tales, success stories, redemption stories, underdog stories, survival stories
- success storiesrags to riches, success story, underdog story, comeback story, zero to hero
- uplifting storiessuccess story, comeback story, underdog story, redemption story, survival story
- disabilitydisability rights, disability culture, disability activism, disability services, disability identity
- successsuccess, succeeds, achievement, wins, triumph
- couragebravery, resilience, fearlessness, boldness, courage
overcoming oddsgiving up
Choosing to stop trying
falling short · failing · surrendering · surrender · capitulation
overcoming oddscoasting
Moving without active effort
silver spoon · smooth sailing · easy street · charmed life · path of least resistance
overcome, overcoming, overcame, over, comes, coming, comers, odds, oddness