What does “Odds and ends” mean?

"Odds and ends" means various small, miscellaneous items or tasks.

What context can I use the in?

Example

I need to clean up all the odds and ends lying around the house.

Example

I have a few odds and ends to take care of before I can relax.

Example

The garage is filled with odds and ends that need to be organized

Is “Odds and ends” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“Odds and ends” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “Odds and ends” effectively in context?

You can use "Odds and Ends" to refer to various small, miscellaneous items or tasks. It's often used when there are several small things that need to be taken care of or organized. For example, if you have a few small tasks to complete before you can relax, you might say, 'I have a few "odds and ends" to take care of before I can relax.'

1Cleaning
I need to clean up all the odds and ends lying around the house.
2Personal Tasks
I have a few odds and ends to take care of before I can relax.
3Organization
The garage is filled with odds and ends that need to be organized.

Similar phrases to “Odds and ends”:

Bits and pieces

Small, miscellaneous items or tasks

Example

I have a few bits and pieces to take care of before I can relax.

Miscellaneous

Various small, unrelated items or tasks

Example

I have a few miscellaneous things to take care of before I can relax.

Small tasks

Various small, unrelated tasks

Example

I have a few small tasks to take care of before I can relax.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “Odds and ends” come from?

The origin of the phrase "Odds and Ends" is unknown.

Is “Odds and ends” common in everyday conversation?

Yes, "Odds and Ends" is a common expression in everyday conversation. People often use it to refer to small miscellaneous items or tasks that need to be taken care of.

What tone does “Odds and ends” have?

"Odds and Ends" conveys a neutral tone. It's a practical expression used to describe small miscellaneous things or tasks without any particular emotional connotation.

Can “Odds and ends” be used in informal and formal settings?

Yes, "Odds and Ends" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It's a versatile expression that describes small miscellaneous items or tasks. You can use it in everyday conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as meetings or professional correspondence.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'I need to clean up all the "odds and ends" lying around the house.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Time to take care of the "odds and ends"!' to imply the need to complete various small tasks.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

main items
major tasks
important things