be at odds
be at odds — idiom
1. to hold an opinion that clashes with someone else's, or to fit badly with anothe
to hold an opinion that clashes with someone else's, or to fit badly with another fact, plan, or piece of evidence.
Yuna and her brother were at odds over who should keep the family house.
be at odds over + issue between two people
The witness statement is at odds with what the camera by the door recorded.
be at odds with + piece of evidence
Bilal stayed at odds with the rest of the committee about the new parking rules.
stay at odds with + group about + issue
The mayor's cheerful speech seemed at odds with the worried faces in the crowd.
seem at odds with + observable fact
For weeks the two neighbours were at odds about where the fence should go.
be at odds about + disputed question
- be at odds with
- remain at odds
- at odds over an issue
- at odds with the evidence
- at odds with each other
- in disagreement
plainer and more neutral; mostly for people or groups
- in conflict
a little stronger; works for people, ideas, or interests
- inconsistent
best when two statements or facts fail to match
- in agreement
used when people share the same view
- consistent
used when facts or statements fit together
Grammar Patterns
be at odds with + person/group
be at odds with + fact/statement
be at odds over + issue
Usage Note
Subject is usually two people or groups, or a statement compared against another fact. Name the conflicting side with 'with', and introduce the disputed issue with 'over' or 'about'. The verb is often 'be', but 'seem', 'remain', and 'stay' are common too.
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: 'Trang and Jude are in odds about the schedule.' Correct: 'Trang and Jude are at odds about the schedule.' — the fixed phrase uses 'at', not 'in'.
Incorrect: 'His story is at odds to the receipts.' Correct: 'His story is at odds with the receipts.' — pair the phrase with 'with', not 'to'.