stack the odds against (someone or something)
To create, contribute to, or manipulate a situation in a way that results in an unfair advantage over someone or something else. (Likened to a bookmaker rigging the odds of a betting to ensure that others lose.) Often used in passive constructions. The Olympic committed is facing criminal charges for stacking the odds against athletes from particular countries. These big corporations stack the odds against any small business that might stand in their way by hiring huge, high-level legal firms to drown them in litigation. It feels like the odds are really stacked against you if you want to go into business for yourself.