dark horse

noun

1. a racehorse, competitor, etc., about whom little is known or who unexpectedly wins.
2. a candidate who is unexpectedly nominated at a political convention.

dark horse

noun

1. a competitor in a race or contest about whom little is known; an unknown
2. a person who reveals little about himself or his activities, esp one who has unexpected talents or abilities
3. politics a candidate who is unexpectedly nominated or elected

dark horse

1. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dark horse¹

First recorded in 1825–35

Idioms and Phrases

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.

Example Sentences

Another dark horse, Tennessee Senator Al Gore, was finding little traction in his efforts to become a centrist alternative.

From The Daily Beast

Several years later I met George in New York while he was in the middle of his Dark Horse tour.

From The Daily Beast

Even Katy Perry felt silly during her “Dark Horse” performance, right?

From The Daily Beast

The scene was similar in 1978 when Karol Wojtyla from Poland was elected on the eight ballot as a dark-horse candidate.

From The Daily Beast

Oscar gurus even peg him as a dark horse for a Best Actor nod this year.

From 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?

From Project Gutenberg

These had occasionally surprised men and induced them to declare that Planty Pall,—as he was then often called,—was a dark horse.

From Project Gutenberg

The dark horse had won, and public favor immediately swung in his direction.

From Project Gutenberg

The supporting representatives of the dark horse made short, forceful speeches.

From Project Gutenberg

Hume had gained ten votes from the Wilksley men and fifteen from the dark horse, but still lacked the requisite number.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• also-ran
• long shot
• sleeper
• underdog