the odds / cards are stacked against sb

/ðə ˈɒdz kˈɑːdz ɑː stˈakt ɐɡˈɛnst ˌɛsbˈiː/

/ðə ˈɑːdz kˈɑːɹdz ɑːɹ stˈækt ɐɡˈɛnst ˌɛsbˈiː/

[sentence]

[SENTENCE]

used to denote that someone has little chance of success in a given situation

Examples

1. Even when all of the odds are stacked against you including basic physics and Hey Cool!

2. The odds are stacked against GameStop.

3. First of all, the neighborhood looks very-- like the odds are stacked against them to start before they even get to school.

4. So if more show up, the odds are stacked against you, and the last thing you want is to experience the excruciating pain of the murder hornet's sting.