underdog

under- +‎ dog

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underdog (plural underdogs)

1. A competitor thought unlikely to win.

   Synonyms: little guy, rank outsider

   • 2004: The New Yorker, 30 August 2004, p.40

     In Athens, the Americans are underdogs to the Chinese and the Canadians (the Canadians!)

   • 2014 March 9, Jacob Steinberg, “Wigan shock Manchester City in FA Cup again to reach semi-finals”, in The Guardian:

     The visit of a Championship side would not normally send a shiver down their spine but they knew that Wigan were underdogs who would snap at their heels and that they possessed a potent bite if they were not kept on a firm leash.

2. Somebody at a disadvantage.

   Synonym: bottom dog

   • 1942, Julius J. Epstein; Philip G. Epstein; Howard Koch, Casablanca:

     Laszlo: Isn't it strange that you always happened to be fighting on the side of the underdog?
     Rick: Yes. I found that a very expensive hobby, too. But then I never was much of a businessman.

3. A high swing wherein the person pushing the swing runs beneath the swing while the person being pushed is at the forward limit of the arc.

• favourite, favorite
• sure bet
• safe bet
• top dog
• shoo-in

• also-ran
• dark horse

• grounded, undergod

From English underdog.

underdog c

1. underdog

• underdog in Svenska Akademiens ordlista (SAOL)
• underdog in Svensk ordbok (SO)
• underdog in Svenska Akademiens ordbok (SAOB)