dark horse

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dark horse

A dark horse candidate won the election.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A racehorse about which little is known: A competitor in a horse race whose abilities or form are largely unknown to the public or bettors, making its chances of winning difficult to predict.
    • A political candidate who is not well known but could win unexpectedly: A person who enters a competition, especially an election, with little public recognition or expectation of success, yet who may achieve a surprising victory.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The Derby winner was a complete dark horse; no one had even heard of him before the race.
    • In the mayoral election, a dark horse candidate emerged from the debates and gained significant support.
Advanced Usage
  • The term can be extended to any contestant or entrant in a competition who is relatively unknown but has the potential to succeed.
    • The new startup is a dark horse in the tech industry, but their innovation could disrupt the market.
  • It can describe a person with hidden talents or qualities that are not immediately apparent.
    • Everyone thought he was just a quiet accountant, but he turned out to be a dark horse with incredible artistic talent.
Variants and Related Words
  • Underdog (n): A competitor thought to have little chance of winning. (Note: An "underdog" is typically known to be at a disadvantage, while a "dark horse" is simply unknown.)
  • Sleeper (n): Something that achieves unexpected success after a period of obscurity. (Often used for films, books, or stocks.)
Synonyms
  • Unknown quantity: A person or thing whose nature, value, or significance is not known.
  • Long shot: A competitor, entry, or candidate with only a slight chance of winning.
  • Cinderella: A person or team that achieves unexpected success, often from a humble position. (More common in sports contexts.)
Related Idioms
  • To come out of nowhere: To appear or achieve success suddenly and unexpectedly.
    • The young singer came out of nowhere to win the competition.
  • A bolt from the blue: A complete surprise.
    • His victory was a bolt from the blue for the political establishment.
dark horse

A dark horse candidate won the election.

Noun
  1. a racehorse about which little is known
  2. a political candidate who is not well known but could win unexpectedly