What does ‘a dark horse’ mean?
To “a dark horse” means to a competitor whose abilities are unknown until they prove strong. Brewer's records this as a turf term: a horse whose form has been kept secret to lengthen its odds. Popularized by Disraeli's novel The Young Duke (1831).
Origin
- Brewer's records this as a turf term: a horse whose form has been kept secret to lengthen its odds. Popularized by Disraeli's novel The Young Duke (1831).
How to use it
- Used in politics and sports for surprise contenders.
- Example: The new candidate is a dark horse in the race.
Source:
Last verified: 2026-07-18
- Definitions and origins are drawn from public-domain reference works, primarily Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898), with modern usage notes clearly marked.