bottom dog

American  

noun

1. underdog.

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Etymology

Origin of bottom dog

First recorded in 1880–85; by analogy with top dog

Example Sentences

The little horse in the horse-race, sah—the bottom dog in the dog-fight, sah.

From Shadows of Shasta by Miller, Joaquin

I’m keeping my eyes open, but you mustn’t be too zealous in our Service, Prior, or you’re bound to come out bottom dog.

From The White Hand and the Black A Story of the Natal Rising by Mitford, Bertram

"I think that you are most astonishingly clumsy," said the small maiden, scrambling up with an offended190 air, and not even saying "Thank you" to Billykins for having been bottom dog for the moment.

From The Adventurous Seven Their Hazardous Undertaking by Marchant, Bessie

I know there are dogs—most generous dogs Who think it is quite the thing To take the part of the bottom dog, And go yelping into the ring.

From Memories and Anecdotes by Sanborn, Kate

The proposal is, however, a proposal to ameliorate the bottom dog, and the human bottom dog is poorly represented in the great inquest of the nation.

From The Law and the Poor by Parry, Edward Abbott

Related Words

• dark horse
• longshot