underdog

American  

[uhn-der-dawg, -dog] / ˈʌn dərˌdɔg, -ˌdɒg /

noun

1. a person who is expected to lose in a contest or conflict.

2. a victim of social or political injustice.

   The underdogs were beginning to organize their protests.

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underdog British  

/ ˈʌndəˌdɒɡ /

noun

1. the competitor least likely to win a fight or contest

2. a person in adversity or in a position of inferiority

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Etymology

Origin of underdog

1875–80, under- + dog ( def. )

Example Sentences

“Goat,” produced by Golden State Warriors prodigy Stephen Curry, is yet another underdog story about following your dreams wrapped in a by-the-numbers sports movie.

From Los Angeles Times

Jefferies, a longtime Wall Street underdog on a mission to get bigger, has been among those offering more types of asset-backed securities, including some untested structures that are harder to assess for potential risks.

From The Wall Street Journal

“It was almost like casting and writing were one process ... I wanted it to be a love letter to the underdog. You never know who you’re sitting next to at the bar.”

From Los Angeles Times

"And there is the motivation. Because then I'm the underdog again. And I like to be an underdog."

From Barron's

So what was Raman thinking in signing up for a challenge in which she is clearly the underdog?

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dark horse
• longshot