Synonyms
Definition
Disadvantaged parties facing advantaged opponents and unlikely to succeed (Vandello et al. 2017, p. 339), or “a loser or predicted loser in a struggle or contest. (Webster)”
In a 2011 campaign speech by then presidential hopeful, Barack Obama strategically proclaimed, “I am used to being the underdog (British Broadcasting Company 2011).” In his 2022 campaign to become the United Kingdom prime minister, the voiceover in a clip for Rishi Sunak proclaims “They say beware the underdog, because an underdog has got nothing to lose. An underdog fights for every inch (Press Trust of India 2022).” In sports, Kawhi Leonard, an eventual NBA champion divulged: “I like being the underdog so they don’t expect what’s going to happen. It pushes me to work harder” (https://graciousquotes.com/kawhi-leonard/). In the film Rocky I(1976), the protagonist was hailed on the cover of Life Magazine 45 years later as “Underdog. Fighter....
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References
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Goldschmied, N., Naghi, S. (2023). Underdog as a Hero. In: Encyclopedia of Heroism Studies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17125-3_26-1
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