English
Etymology
Originally an allusion to an unknown horse winning a race, as used in an 1831 novel s:The Young Duke|The Young Duke by w:Benjamin Disraeli|Benjamin Disraeli.

Noun
wikipedia
en-noun|sg=dark horse

1. context|idiom|politics: A candidate who is nominated unexpectedly, without previously having been discussed or considered as a likely choice.
2. context|rare An unexpected success.

#:Everyone was expecting the red team to win, but the greens were the dark horse in the event.

• 2007-05-17 18:22 - WikiPedant - copyedited

Full Revision History