The chances are a million to one against being struck by lightning.

[nelson13]

The chances are a million to one against being struck by lightning.

Does it mean

The chances are a million-to-one chance against being struck by lightning.

or

The chances are a million to one against being struck by lightning.

?

 

[HanibalII]

The chances are a million to one against being struck by lightning.

Does it mean

The chances are a million-to-one chance against being struck by lightning.

or

The chances are a million to one against being struck by lightning.

?

I would say 'The chance of being struck by lightning is a million to one'.

 

[Raymott]

I would say 'The chance of being struck by lightning is a million to one'.

But it's not. It's a million to one against, or one in a million.

 

[Raymott]

The chances are a million to one against being struck by lightning.

Does it mean

The chances are a million-to-one chance against being struck by lightning.

or

The chances are a million to one against being struck by lightning.

?

The second sentence is better. It means your chance of being struck by lightning is 1:1,000,000 (one in a million).

 

[Kotfor]

What about: The chance is one in a million....

 

[Raymott]

What about: The chance is one in a million....

Yes, but that's just leaving out "the chance of what?"