We knew from the outset that we were unlikely to win.

from 是介词，表示"从...开始"或"来自..."。 the 是定冠词，用于特指某个事物或情况。 outset 是由 out（向外）和 set（设置）组成的复合名词，字面意思是"向外设置"，引申为"开始、开端"。 from the outset 是一个固定短语，意思是"从一开始"。