Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person, team, or group that is expected to lose in a competition or conflict: The "underdog" is the competitor perceived as having less chance of winning or succeeding.
   • A person or group that is at a social or economic disadvantage: More broadly, an "underdog" can refer to anyone in a position of inferiority, powerlessness, or persistent disadvantage.

Usage and Examples

• In sports or competitions:
  • Despite being the underdog, the small-town team won the championship.
  • Everyone loves to cheer for the underdog in a boxing match.
• In social or political contexts:
  • The film tells the story of an underdog fighting against a corrupt system.
  • She has always identified with the underdogs in society.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "The underdog": Often used with the definite article "the" to refer to a specific disadvantaged party in a given situation.
  • In this political race, she is clearly the underdog.
• Underdog status: Refers to the condition of being the disadvantaged party.
  • The team used its underdog status as motivation.
• Underdog narrative/story: A common theme in literature and film where a disadvantaged protagonist ultimately succeeds.
  • The movie is a classic underdog story about an amateur athlete.

Variants and Related Words

• Underdoggedness (n, rare): The quality or state of being an underdog.
• Underdog can function attributively as an adjective in compound forms (e.g., , ). These are considered compound nouns where "underdog" modifies another noun.

Synonyms

• Long shot: A person or thing with a very low chance of success.
• Dark horse: A competitor about whom little is known but who unexpectedly wins or succeeds.
• Outsider: A person or group not belonging to a particular circle or recognized as having a chance.

Antonyms

• Favorite: The competitor expected to win.
• Front-runner: The leader or the one most likely to succeed in a competition.
• Top dog: The person or group in the most dominant or powerful position.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• Root for the underdog: To support the competitor who is expected to lose.
  • I always root for the underdog; it's more exciting when they win.
• Underdog mentality: An attitude characterized by resilience and determination, often stemming from a position of disadvantage.
  • The company's success is driven by its underdog mentality.

Noun

1. one at a disadvantage and expected to lose