at odds

Idioms  

1. In disagreement, opposed. For example, It is only natural for the young and old to be at odds over money matters. This idiom uses odds in the sense of “a condition of being unequal or different,” and transfers it to a difference of opinion, or quarrel. [Late 1500s]

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Example Sentences

That statement was in response to Reuters reporting that SpaceX had been at odds with Defense Department officials over what the Pentagon was paying to use its satellite-internet technology.

From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026

Mahan said the idea the two are inherently at odds is false, because “business needs labor, and labor needs business,” and the real question is “how to balance everyone’s needs.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

His cool and calm demeanour during matches often seemed at odds with his off-field character and private life, which captivated the media.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

There was initially a lot of anticipation over how relations would play out between Robert Francis Prevost and Trump -- two very different world leaders at odds over many issues.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

Totally at odds with our culture, we wanted nothing less than to make anew; and, for our examples, we looked toward Russia, Germany, and France.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright

Related Words

• awkward
• erroneous
• false
• ill-advised
• imprudent
• inaccurate
• inadmissible
• inappropriate
• incorrect
• irregular
• unwarranted
• wrong