What is the meaning and origin of the idiom "dark horse"?
A "dark horse" is someone whose abilities, plans or feelings are a mystery to others. He is an individual whom people know little or nothing about.
* I didn't know that Catherine could paint. She's such a dark horse.
* Sean is a bit of a dark horse. Did you know that he is the author of several books?
This is an expression which is frequently used in political contexts. When you say that a candidate was a dark horse what you mean is that although the individual was relatively unknown, he succeeded in winning the election. It is believed that Benjamin Disraeli was the first person to use this expression. In the context of sports, a dark horse is usually someone who wins a tournament or an event although no one expected him to.
Here are a few examples,
* I can't say which team will win - there are two or three dark horses in the tournament.
* Annie could be a dark horse for a medal in the 400 meters event.
As you have probably guessed by now this is an expression that comes from the world of horse racing. When a totally unexpected horse wins the race, it is often called a "dark horse". A "dark horse" doesn't have to be dark in color. The word "dark" here means "secret" — the trainer of the horse keeps the potential of the horse a secret. Everyone is kept in the dark about the capability of the horse.
A "dark horse" is someone whose abilities, plans or feelings are a mystery to others. He is an individual whom people know little or nothing about.
* I didn't know that Catherine could paint. She's such a dark horse.
* Sean is a bit of a dark horse. Did you know that he is the author of several books?
This is an expression which is frequently used in political contexts. When you say that a candidate was a dark horse what you mean is that although the individual was relatively unknown, he succeeded in winning the election. It is believed that Benjamin Disraeli was the first person to use this expression. In the context of sports, a dark horse is usually someone who wins a tournament or an event although no one expected him to.
Here are a few examples,
* I can't say which team will win - there are two or three dark horses in the tournament.
* Annie could be a dark horse for a medal in the 400 meters event.
As you have probably guessed by now this is an expression that comes from the world of horse racing. When a totally unexpected horse wins the race, it is often called a "dark horse". A "dark horse" doesn't have to be dark in color. The word "dark" here means "secret" — the trainer of the horse keeps the potential of the horse a secret. Everyone is kept in the dark about the capability of the horse.
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