dark horse
The term "dark horse" is often used to describe someone or something that unexpectedly succeeds or reveals hidden talents.
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Definition
B2General
(idiomatic)A person who surprises others with their unexpected talents or achievements.
Example
- Nobody expected him to win the competition; he was a real dark horse.
C1Politics
(idiomatic)A political candidate who is nominated unexpectedly and has not been widely discussed or considered.
Example
- The senator emerged as a dark horse in the presidential race.
C1Horse Racing
(technical)A horse whose capabilities are unknown, making it difficult to predict its performance.
Example
- The dark horse won the race, surprising everyone at the track.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "dark horse":
led horsewhite horsestalking horsediamond in the roughwild horsehidden gemfront runner