lay odds

lay odds

1. To offer a bet in which one stands more to lose than the opponent; or a bet in some other way favourable to the opponent.
   • 1597, Henry IV, Part II, Act V, Scene 5; by William Shakespeare

     Prince John: "I will lay odds that, ere this year expire, / We bear our civil swords and native fire / As far as France. I heard a bird so sing, / Whose music, to my thinking, pleas'd the King."

   • 1904, The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London, chapter XXIV

     "We're dead safe," he assured them with a laugh. "No salt mines this time, Smoke. But I'll tell you what -- I'll lay odds of five to one it's the Macedonia."

2. To feel certain about something.

• give odds

• take odds

• wager

• day-olds, old days