underdog
Translation
underdog, long shot, dark horse
Examples
Everyone loves to cheer for the underdog.
Everyone loves to cheer for the underdog.
He went into the match as the underdog.
He went into the match as the underdog.
Grammar Patterns
the underdog in ((sth.)) the competitor likely to lose in (sth.) He was the underdog in the election.
Similar Words
Synonyms: long shot, dark horse; Antonyms: favorite, front-runner
Etymology
From 'under' + 'dog'. The term originated from dogfighting, referring to the dog that was losing (the one on the bottom).
Memory Tips
Picture a dogfight where one 'dog' is 'under' the other. That losing dog is the 'underdog'.