dark horse
a racehorse, competitor, etc., about whom little is known or who unexpectedly wins.
a candidate who is unexpectedly nominated at a political convention.
Origin of dark horse
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use dark horse in a sentence
Another dark horse, Tennessee Senator Al Gore, was finding little traction in his efforts to become a centrist alternative.
Several years later I met George in New York while he was in the middle of his dark horse tour.
When Gary Wright Met George Harrison: Dream Weaver, John and Yoko, and More | Gary Wright | September 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTEven Katy Perry felt silly during her “dark horse” performance, right?
Beyonce Gave the Best Grammy Awards Performance (And 8 More That Were Pretty Good, Too) | Kevin Fallon | January 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe scene was similar in 1978 when Karol Wojtyla from Poland was elected on the eight ballot as a dark-horse candidate.
‘Habemus Who?’ A Daunting Task at the Papal Conclave | Barbie Latza Nadeau | March 10, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTOscar gurus even peg him as a dark horse for a Best Actor nod this year.
‘The Impossible’ Star Tom Holland On His Award-Worthy Film Debut | Kevin Fallon | December 20, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
How long had Inspector Whiteleaf and this dark horse in the fur coat been gone at the time you heard the noise?
Dope | Sax RohmerThese had occasionally surprised men and induced them to declare that Planty Pall,—as he was then often called,—was a dark horse.
The Prime Minister | Anthony TrollopeThe dark horse had won, and public favor immediately swung in his direction.
The Honorable Percival | Alice Hegan RiceThe supporting representatives of the dark horse made short, forceful speeches.
David Dunne | Belle Kanaris ManiatesHume had gained ten votes from the Wilksley men and fifteen from the dark horse, but still lacked the requisite number.
David Dunne | Belle Kanaris Maniates
British Dictionary definitions for dark horse
a competitor in a race or contest about whom little is known; an unknown
a person who reveals little about himself or his activities, esp one who has unexpected talents or abilities
US politics a candidate who is unexpectedly nominated or elected
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for dark horse
An unexpected winner. In politics, a dark horse is a candidate for office considered unlikely to receive his or her party's nomination, but who might be nominated if party leaders cannot agree on a better candidate.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with dark horse
A little known, unexpectedly successful entrant, as in You never can tell—some dark horse may come along and win a Senate seat. This metaphoric expression originally alluded to an unknown horse winning a race and was so used in a novel by Benjamin Disraeli (The Young Duke, 1831). It soon began to be transferred to political candidates, among the first of whom was James K. Polk. He won the 1844 Democratic Presidential nomination on the eighth ballot and went on to win the election.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Browse