underdog — a person or team that is expected to lose in a contest or conflict
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a person or team that is expected to lose in a contest or conflict
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈʌndərdɔːɡ/
Example Sentences
- Everyone loves a good underdog story where the small guy wins against all odds.
- Our team was such an underdog that even our own mothers bet against us.
- The underdog candidate surprised everyone by winning the election.
underdog
NOUN[/ˈʌndərdɔːɡ/]
a person or team that is expected to lose in a contest or conflict
a person or team that is expected to lose in a contest or conflict
The underdog won't be bogged — through the fog, they rise and jog.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The term originated in 19th-century America from cockfighting and dogfighting arenas, where 'underdog' literally referred to the dog positioned beneath its opponent, fighting at a disadvantageous angle. The word later evolved metaphorically to denote any competitor or person facing unfavorable odds in sports, competitions, or other contests.
Breakdown
under- (beneath, below) + dog (canine animal) = literally 'the dog below', referencing the physical positioning of the weaker fighter in combat sports, subsequently generalized to mean any disadvantaged competitor.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“Everyone loves a good underdog story where the small guy wins against all odds.”
“Our team was such an underdog that even our own mothers bet against us.”
“The underdog candidate surprised everyone by winning the election.”
“Being the underdog has its advantages - nobody expects you to win, so there's no pressure!”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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