Idiom – Dark Horse

• Idiom – Dark horse
• Meaning – Someone who wins something unexpectedly.  A  person, animal or thing that competes in something and is not expected to win. A contestant that seems unlikely to succeed or a contestant that we know very little about.
• This expression is usually used to describe someone who has unexpectedly come from behind to lead something or to win something.
• This phrase originated from horse racing. A dark horse was a horse that was unknown to the gamblers, therefore it was to know what odds it should be.

Usage:

When could you use this idiom?

• An unknown athlete is leading an important race.
• A little known politician is leading in the polls.
• An amateur singer  is unexpectedly nominated for an award.
• A small independent movie is nominated for an international award.

Example:

• “Hugo Sanchez is a dark horse to win the FIFA Player of the Year award.”

Discuss: