caballo oscuro
Lemma Details
Translation: dark horse; underdog; unexpected contender
Part of Speech: noun phrase
Etymology: This phrase combines 'caballo' (horse) from Latin 'caballus' and 'oscuro' (dark) from Latin 'obscurus'. The metaphorical meaning parallels the English 'dark horse', referring to a competitor or candidate about whom little is known but who unexpectedly succeeds. The expression originated in horse racing, where a little-known horse might surprise by winning a race.
Commonality: 60%
Guessability: 70%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Nadie esperaba que ganara, era el caballo oscuro de la competición.
Nobody expected him to win, he was the dark horse of the competition.
El partido político menor resultó ser el caballo oscuro de las elecciones.
The minor political party turned out to be the dark horse of the elections.
Como caballo oscuro en el torneo, sorprendió a todos llegando a la final.
As the dark horse in the tournament, he surprised everyone by reaching the final.
Mnemonics
- Think of a black horse emerging from the shadows to win a race unexpectedly.
- Connect it to the English 'dark horse' which has the same meaning.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This expression is commonly used in Spanish politics, sports, and competitions to refer to unexpected candidates or competitors who might succeed despite not being favorites. It's particularly common during elections or tournaments when discussing potential surprise winners.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'caballo oscuro' is a metaphorical expression for an unexpected contender, 'caballo negro' simply refers to a black horse literally.
Notes: The metaphorical meaning is lost if you replace 'oscuro' with 'negro', making it a literal description instead.
Mnemonic: 'Oscuro' in this context refers to unknown or mysterious qualities, not just the color.