[Idiom] to manipulate the odds

[annenas]

Hello!
Can anyone tell me if 'manipulating the odds' is a correct english idiom. And what it generally means.
Thanks

 

[BobK]

It's correct (though questionable*), but it's not an idiom.

*I'm not a fan of using 'manipulate' to refer to operations that don't involve the hands (manus). But it is often used that way - meaning, here, 'to cause to change by artificial means'. 'The odds' here mean 'the likelihoods of various results, and the numbers associated with those likelihoods'.

b

 

[annenas]

Thanks for generous and quick reply! This is really effective this forum!
Cheers

 

[joham]

It's correct (though questionable*), but it's not an idiom.

*I'm not a fan of using 'manipulate' to refer to operations that don't involve the hands (manus). But it is often used that way - meaning, here, 'to cause to change by artificial means'. 'The odds' here mean 'the likelihoods of various results, and the numbers associated with those likelihoods'.

b

I like this thread very much. Thank you a lot, annenas and BobK. From this thread I got to know that the 'mani-' in 'manipulate' means the hands, which helps me to better understand this word. Could you tell me what the root '-pul-' means please? Thank you again.

 

[joham]

I found this webpage and seem to understand now. But thank you all the same.


Vocabulary Made Easy


books.google.com.hkVisual Education Corporation - 1984 - p128 The word implies a lack of thoroughness. A cursory examination is one that is not thoroughly done. The Root -pel-, -pul- To repel something is to drive, or push, it back — something repulsive drives you back. The root -pel- or -pul- ...

 

[catbert]

*I'm not a fan of using 'manipulate' to refer to operations that don't involve the hands (manus). But it is often used that way

:?:
Not only is the word "manipulate" often used that way, it's used that way almost exclusively.

 

[waflob]

What about manipulative people?

 

[catbert]

What about manipulative people?

I shudder to think what that would imply if their hands were involved. :lol: