also-ran

/'ɔ:lsouræn/

Thân thiện

The also-ran crossed the finish line long after the winner.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A contestant who loses the contest: An "also-ran" is a participant in a competition, especially a race or election, who does not win or achieve a leading position.
   • A person or thing that is not successful: More broadly, it refers to anyone or anything that is unsuccessful, insignificant, or fails to make an impact in a particular field or endeavor.

Usage

The term "also-ran" is often used in a dismissive or slightly derogatory way to describe someone who was not a serious contender for victory. It emphasizes a lack of success or distinction. It is commonly used in contexts like sports, politics, and business.

Examples

• Noun:
  • In the presidential election, the third-party candidate was a distant also-ran.
  • The film was nominated for several awards but ended up as an also-ran on the night of the ceremony.
  • After leading for most of the race, his car developed engine trouble and he finished as an also-ran.

Advanced Usage

• "to be an also-ran": to be categorized as unsuccessful or insignificant in a competitive situation.
  • Despite heavy investment, their new product was an also-ran in a crowded market.

Variants and Related Words

• Loser (n): a person or thing that loses or has lost. (Note: "Loser" is more general and can be harsher than "also-ran.")
• Non-starter (n): a person or plan that has no chance of succeeding. (This implies failure before even beginning, whereas an "also-ran" at least participated.)
• Runner-up (n): a competitor or team finishing in second place. (This is a more positive term than "also-ran," which typically refers to those far from the top positions.)

Synonyms

• Failure: a lack of success.
• Nonentity: an unimportant person or thing.
• Underachiever: a person who performs below their potential.

Related Phrases

• Out of the running: no longer having a chance to win.
  • After the scandal, the candidate was completely out of the running.

Related Idioms

• Also-ran status: the condition of being unimportant or unsuccessful in a competition.
  • The company feared their latest model would achieve only also-ran status.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a contestant who loses the contest

Từ đồng nghĩa

• loser