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

I could not have given him a more simple and true answer, and it seemed to hit Joe, who had built his career out of representing the underdog, right in the gut.

From Los Angeles Times

Forty-six years to the day since their underdog predecessors toppled the Mighty Red Machine, United States men’s hockey is golden again.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Canada going for their 10th gold, so usually the neutral will go with the underdog," he says.

From BBC

But in the space of nine days this week, Ben Ogden and Gus Schumacher doubled that haul by grabbing two of the most stunning underdog medals of the Milan Cortina Olympics.

From The Wall Street Journal

The underdog could not close out the set when he served for it, though, as Alcaraz broke back in game nine.

From Barron's

Related Words

• dark horse
• longshot