dark horse

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In a tune-up against Senegal, the Americans won 3-2 against a country seen as a World Cup dark horse as Pulisic snapped a five-month goalless drought.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

Now, on his main-draw debut on the Paris clay, Jodar has emerged as a dark horse for the Coupe des Mousquetaires.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

“All that is to say, I was charmed by ‘Pizza Movie,’ my dark horse pick.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

That angst was a big reason why 64-year-old Sanae Takaichi surged from dark horse to Japan’s first female prime minister in October.

From Barron's • Jan. 8, 2026

This card, the one with the dark man on a dark horse, this means jealousy, and this one, sorrow.

From "The House on Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros