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DARK HORSE

The idiom "dark horse" refers to a person or thing that is unknown or unexpected, but who/which unexpectedly wins or succeeds.



EXAMPLES

"He was a dark horse in the election, but he ended up winning."

"She is a dark horse, I had no idea she was a talented artist."



HISTORY

The term "dark horse" initially described a racehorse that was little known or had unknown capabilities, making it difficult for gamblers to assess its potential and set betting odds.
The first known use of the phrase in a literary context is in Benjamin Disraeli's 1831 novel, The Young Duke, where the protagonist attends a horse race and is surprised by the victory of a "dark horse" that he hadn't even noticed in the list of competitors.
The idiom quickly expanded beyond horse racing to describe individuals, particularly political candidates, who are not well-known or expected to win but unexpectedly succeed.
Modern Usage:
Today, "dark horse" continues to be used to describe someone who is an unexpected or unlikely winner or someone whose true abilities or potential are not immediately apparent.