At odds means in disagreement: the neighbours are at odds over the fence. The second common meaning is not matching, contradicting: his smile was at odds with his eyes; the results are at odds with the forecast. With names who or what you clash with; over names the issue.
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be at odds with someone / something; be at odds over a question
- The two neighbours were at odds over who should repair the fence.
- His cheerful message was at odds with the worried expression on his face.
- The survey results are at odds with the team's original prediction.
What changed
First versionThe partners are at odd over the opening date.
RevisionThe partners are at odds over the opening date.
Odd and odds look like the same word, and the final s is easy to drop. But odd is an adjective meaning strange, and this phrase needs the noun odds. Add the s, and you get at odds: the partners disagree.
Different from just means not the same, with no conflict: his plan is different from mine. At odds with means the two clash: his plan is at odds with the budget. And What are the odds? is about chances, a different use of the same word.
Your turn
Two accounts disagree: Her description is at odds ___ the photographs.
Show the answer
with — The thing that doesn't match is introduced with with: at odds with the photographs. From isn't used with at odds.
Describe a time when an ad or a promise didn't match what you saw. Use at odds with.
The promise of a quiet stay was at odds with the loud building work outside our window.
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