underdog

USAGE SUMMARY

'underdog' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone or something that is considered to have little chance of success in a competition or struggle. For example: The underdog team surprisingly won the championship.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Davis's diminutive size kind of makes her the underdog in most of her matches, but underestimate her at your peril.

The Guardian - Sport

Foxcatcher: the 'uneasy relationship between money and creativity' Peter Bradshaw's review of Foxcatcher: a superb variant on the underdog sports movie.

The Guardian - Film

Underpinning these two great paintings lay Brown's abiding interest in the underdog.

The Guardian - Arts

Although Rubio remains an underdog in the state, the three pillars of his campaign – hawkishness on defense, a compelling personal story, and his relative youth (he is 43) – have left South Carolinians impressed and endeared them to his candidacy.

The Guardian

Khan is a lopsided favourite – the oddsmakers have made Algieri an 8-1 underdog – but cannot afford a lapse when so tantalisingly close to boxing's topmost tier.

The Guardian - Sport

The ruling came down in an election year, just as economists were pronouncing Brownback's experiment a failure, and the Democratic underdog gave Brownback a run for his money – but it was big money.

The Guardian

He went on to eschew his privileged background to devote his life to Labour politics and fighting for the underdog.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Tone: Underdog spirit with a fair dose of score-settling.

The Guardian - Sport

And this really is a kind of underdog good-news story for Wes Anderson's Grand Budapest Hotel, which might so easily have completely vanished over awards season, without anybody particularly noticing.

The Guardian - Film

As ESPN pundit and former player Alexi Lalas put it afterwards: "They are under the underdog role".

The Guardian - Sport

But in the symbolic realm he represented the plucky underdog – the simple house painter teaching those snobby Yankees a thing or do.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "underdog", consider the emotional impact. It often evokes sympathy or admiration, so ensure it aligns with your intended tone. Highlighting an "underdog" can be a powerful narrative tool.

Common error

Avoid using "underdog" when referring to someone who is simply inexperienced, rather than facing systemic disadvantages. "Underdog" implies a power imbalance or significant obstacle, not just a lack of know-how.

Linguistic Context

The word "underdog" primarily functions as a noun. It identifies a competitor or entity perceived as having a lower chance of winning. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and examples illustrate its role in describing those at a disadvantage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Sport

24%

Opinion

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "underdog" is a commonly used noun to describe a competitor or entity perceived as unlikely to win, often eliciting sympathy or admiration. According to Ludwig AI, the usage is correct and versatile across different contexts. Analysis of usage patterns reveals its prevalence in news, sports, and opinion writing. When using "underdog", consider its emotional impact and ensure it aligns with the intended tone. Alternatives like "long shot" or "dark horse" may be suitable substitutes depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long shot

Emphasizes the low probability of success.

dark horse

Highlights an unexpected potential for success despite initial obscurity.

outsider

Focuses on the position of not being part of the dominant group or favored contenders.

less favored competitor

Directly states the lower odds of success in a competitive setting.

unlikely winner

Highlights the improbability of achieving victory.

challenger

Emphasizes the act of competing against a stronger or more established entity.

small fry

Conveys a sense of being less significant or powerful.

battling against the odds

Highlights the struggle against unfavorable circumstances.

unheralded contender

Emphasizes a lack of recognition despite competitive potential.

less fancied entrant

Directly states the lower expectations for success.

FAQs

How to use "underdog" in a sentence?

You can use "underdog" to describe a person, team, or entity that is expected to lose a competition or struggle. For instance, "The small business was the "underdog" in the market, competing against major corporations."

What can I say instead of "underdog"?

You can use alternatives like "long shot", "dark horse", or "outsider" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Which is correct, "underdog" or "under dog"?

"Underdog" is the correct spelling as one word. "Under dog" as two separate words has no established meaning in the English language and should not be used.

What's the difference between "underdog" and "loser"?

While both terms describe someone who is not winning, "underdog" implies a struggle against difficult odds and often evokes sympathy, whereas "loser" carries a more negative connotation, suggesting incompetence or failure without necessarily facing a disadvantage.