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Dark Horse

What Does "Dark Horse" Mean?

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"Dark horse" is an English idiom. It means "a person, in a competition or election, who emerges as a surprise contender."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "dark horse" used in a sentence:
  • No one expected her to win the race; she was a real dark horse.
  • The team was a dark horse and shocked everyone by winning the championship.
  • He's a dark horse in the election, with strong silent support among the public.
meaning for dark horse

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Dark Horse" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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