Idiom 'Dark Horse'
source: Twominute English 2013年7月17日
The idiom 'dark horse' is used to describe a person whose qualities are hidden or someone who becomes successful unexpectedly. Typically, when you use this idiom, you'll be referring to a competition in which many people are competing for success or victory.
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0:18 Let's learn about the idiom 'dark horse'. A 'dark horse' is someone who has hidden talents.
0:25 Correct Jeff. A 'dark horse' is a person of little prominence or who has little chance to be successful, but who surprises you at the end by succeeding.
0:37 For example: in the recent marathon, the runner from Idaho turned out to be the dark horse. It was his first marathon!
0:47 His abilities and potential were not very well known, but he managed to succeed and beat other competitors who were more popular.
0:55 Here's another example: nobody thought Edison would become a scientist as he was poor in studies, but he proved to be a dark horse.
1:03 In politics, the idiom is used to speak of a candidate who seems less popular or has little chance of winning,
1:12 but comes out victorious or gains power unexpectedly.
1:17 Yes, a 'dark horse' is like a mysterious person whose abilities, plans and thoughts are not known!
1:24 Yes, they are often difficult to judge. Let's listen to some conversations with examples of how to use this idiom?
1:33 Good idea!
1:40 Wow Irene! I didn't know you could sing so well!
1:43 Thank you, Ben!
1:45 You're actually advancing to the finals in the competition.
1:49 Yes. In fact, I was in a band.
1:54 Aha! So you're the dark horse in this competition! What was the band's name?!
1:59 Ever heard of Blue Velvet?
2:02 Sure! There was a time when I used to listen to 'Goodnight friend' all day long!
2:07 Really?! Well..that was us!
2:17 The talk shows are saying that the former High Court judge is the dark horse to be the new governor.
2:24 Yeah, he came from nowhere and achieved prominence in polls. He's very intelligent and a visionary!
2:31 He may win. Some people have hidden talents.
2:35 We have a dark horse among us, too.
2:38 Another politician?
2:40 No. I was talking to Irene and found out that she was one of the Blue Velvet members!
2:45 Really? I love their songs!
2:55 It's surprising that Isaac has won the local chess championship!
3:00 He's a dark horse. We never knew he was such a good player!
3:05 Yeah. He hardly talks to anyone.
3:09 I think he can even win the state finals.
3:17 So you're the dark horse in this competition!
3:23 The talk shows are saying that the former High Court judge is the dark horse to be the new governor.
3:35 We have a dark horse among us, too.
3:43 He's a dark horse. We never knew he was such a good player!
3:53 The runner from Idaho turned out to be the dark horse.
