dark horse
Dark horse (noun) means a competitor, candidate or contestant who is little known or thought unlikely to win, but who may surprise everyone by succeeding. Example: “She started the leadership race as a dark horse and finished it as prime minister.”
How to Use Dark horse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone nobody expected to win who might just win.
Neutral to informal; common in sport, politics and business writing, and fine in newspaper prose.
It is a countable noun phrase, so use it with a or the: he is a dark horse, not he is dark horse.
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
She started the leadership race as a _____ and finished it as prime minister.
Synonyms
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Related Words
Rhymes for dark horse
See all rhymes for dark horse →Frequently Asked Questions
Is being called a dark horse a compliment?
Usually yes. It says you were underestimated rather than untalented, and it carries an air of hidden ability. The only mildly negative shade is the suggestion that you have been secretive.
What is the difference between a dark horse and an underdog?
An underdog is simply expected to lose, and everyone can see the odds against them. A dark horse is unknown rather than merely weak — the point is that nobody has enough information to judge them, so a win comes as a genuine shock.
Can a dark horse be used about a company or an idea?
Yes. Any contender in a competitive field can be a dark horse — a startup in a crowded market, a film in an awards race, or a city bidding to host an event.