Definition of Dark horse

1. Noun. A political candidate who is not well known but could win unexpectedly.

Generic synonyms: Campaigner, Candidate, Nominee

2. Noun. A racehorse about which little is known.
Generic synonyms: Bangtail, Race Horse, Racehorse

Definition of Dark horse

1. Noun. (idiomatic politics) A candidate who is nominated unexpectedly, without previously having been discussed or considered as a likely choice. ¹

2. Noun. (rare) An unexpected success. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Dark Horse

dark elf
dark elves
dark energy
dark factory
dark field illumination
dark field imaging
dark field microscopy
dark field objective
dark field slides
dark field stop
dark figure
dark green fritillaries
dark green fritillary
dark ground illumination
dark horse (current term)
dark horses
dark l
dark lantern
dark lanterns
dark matter
dark meats
dark nebula
dark reaction
dark red
dark sleeper
dark sleepers
dark space

Literary usage of Dark horse

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Review of Reviews and World's Work by Albert Shaw (1904)
"It was understood that among the men prepared at the proper moment to turn away from Judge Parker and lend support to a dark horse like Mr. Folk were the ..."

2. A History of the Presidency by Edward Stanwood (1898)
"XVII THE FIRST "dark horse" No election ever caused more disappointment, both to victors and to vanquished, than that of 1840. ..."

3. How the World Votes: The Story of Democratic Development in Elections by Charles Seymour, Donald Paige Frary (1918)
"Of these there are three types, the Favorite, the Favorite Son, and the dark horse. The Favorite is a man known all over the Union, high in his party ..."

4. Old Time Notes of Pennsylvania: A Connected and Chronological Record of the by Alexander Kelly McClure (1905)
"The nomination of Polk is generally regarded as an accident, as he was the first "dark horse" who succeeded in obtaining a Presidential nomination, ..."

5. Presidential Nominations and Elections: A History of American Conventions by Joseph Bucklin Bishop (1916)
"It was the first convention to develop a "dark horse," the first to bring about a nomination by means of a "stampede," and the first to have its proceedings ..."

6. Handy-book of Literary Curiosities by William Shepard Walsh (1892)
"dark horse, an unforeseen or compromise candidate in a political contest The term ... Hence jockeys frequently say that " the dark horse will win the race. ..."

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